On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, October 25, 2012

Back in March, we discussed the outlawing of "spice" or "K2", monikers for synthetic marijuana, here in Georgia. The ban, Chase's Law, has now been in effect for more than six months, and police in Atlanta have cracked down on the possession and sale of synthetic marijuana.

A couple of weeks ago a clerk at a Cherokee County smoke shop, Smoke 911, was arrested for selling synthetic drugs. She was charged with selling a schedule 1 drug, though it is unclear whether the woman even knew what she was doing was illegal or whether she was simply selling items that were on the shelves in the shop.

Because synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs are often sold in stores, or online, under a variety of brands and names, many Georgia residents might not be aware that what they are purchasing is an illegal substance.

Spice, or synthetic marijuana, was first banned in Georgia in 2010, but manufacturers of synthetic marijuana were able to get around the law by changing their recipes. Under the 2012 measure, synthetic marijuana in any form is banned.

Synthetic marijuana is typically branded as an herbal product, designed to provide a high that is similar to the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component in marijuana.

Last month, the owner the manager Atlanta's Smoke 911 stores was also arrested and charged with selling synthetic marijuana.

Authorities in the Atlanta area are very concerned about the unpredictable effects of synthetic drugs like Spice, K2 and bath salts. Anyone who faces charges for the possession or sale of such drugs may benefit from seeking an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Source: Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch, "Woodstock Woman Arrested For Selling Synthetic Drugs," Kristal Dixon, Oct. 13, 2012

• Our law firm handles cases like those mentioned in this post. For more information, visit our Atlanta Drug Offenses page.