LEE COUNTY STORES GET RID OF 'FAKE POT' STASHES

Local stores are starting to get rid of inventories of "fake pot"
because of a federal ban that may become effective during the
holidays after reports it's making kids sick.

The products, sold as incense but often smoked, are sold under brand
names like K2, Spice, Blaze and Red X Dawn. The products give users a
marijuana-like high and may cause nausea, vomiting, paranoia and
tremors, according to health officials.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers said more than
2,000 cases involving adverse reactions to synthetic marijuana have
been reported throughout the United States this year.

Seven teenagers and young adults have been treated at Cape Coral
Hospital during the past month suffering seizures and vomiting and
experiencing other problems after using synthetic marijuana,
according to hospital officials.

The ban by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration could be in
place by Christmas Day, although it could take a few days longer to
complete the necessary paperwork, said agency spokeswoman Barbara Arreno.

Wayne Marchant, 60, owner of Cape Cloud 9 on Santa Barbara Boulevard,
said he's telling his staff to not reorder Serenity, an incense brand
he sells, to comply with the ban.

"I'm telling them to get rid of the crap," he said.

Marchant said he'll order other brands that don't contain the
chemicals about to be banned.

However, "I've smoked some of this stuff and it's had no ill effects
on me. Maybe it just affects some people," he said.

The one-year ban will give time for the chemicals in fake pot to be
tested, Arreno said. She said if the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services determines the chemicals are harmful, the DEA could
take action to permanently treat synthetic marijuana as an illegal
drug, just like marijuana, Ecstasy, LSD and heroin.

Local police and health officials have called for a state law banning
the fake marijuana.

Now, because of the pending national ban, "We're pleased that the DEA
and state legislators are taking the necessary steps to correct this
problem," said Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy. He said state
legislators are considering sponsoring a bill to make fake pot
illegal under Florida law.

The sheriff's office also supports the DEA's decision, said Sgt.
Stephanie Eller, agency spokeswoman.

Dr. Timothy Dougherty, medical director of emergency physicians at
Cape Coral Hospital, who has encountered cases involving fake
marijuana, hailed the DEA's decision.

"I think it's an important step that needed to be done," Dougherty said.

However, Pascal Joseph, 18, a graduate of Cape Coral High School and
freshman at Florida State University, said he doesn't believe banning
fake pot is a good idea. "It might just cause people to buy the fake
stuff illegally or buy real marijuana," he said.

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CHEMICALS TO BE BANNED

JWH-018

JWH-073

JWH-200

CP-47,497

cannabicyclohexanol