UPDATE: More Synthetic Pot Confiscated in Forsyth County

Update: July 13, 1 p.m.

reports that 170 bags of possible synthetic marijuana have been seized during a third sweep Thursday of another local business, according to a news release.

This brings the total number of bags confiscated this week to 1,908.

During the latest incident undercover officers went to the located at 3671 Hutchinson Road in Cumming and were sold "spice" by the clerk. Further investigation by authorities revealed that the fake substances were also hidden in several locations in the store, including a storage cooler, a knit hat, and bags hidden behind boxes.

“Customers were coming into the store to buy the synthetic marijuana while the officers were there,” said Sheriff Ted Paxton. “This leads us to believe that it’s being sold here on a regular basis.”

Thursday was the first time authorities have confiscated the substances from the Save Money Food Mart.

“Incidents throughout the country have already shown that the substances being sold are dangerous,” said Paxton. “The primary customers of the synthetic marijuana are our high school and college-age young adults. We are going to do everything within our power to prevent the sale of these substances in our county.”

The sheriff's office reports the total number of bags confiscated in less than 30 days in Forsyth County adds up to 3,847.

July 13, 10:55 a.m.

A second sweep of local businesses selling synthetic marijuana nets the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office with another 1,738 bags of the fake stuff.

Authorities confiscated the substances Tuesday and Wednesday from the same business as in June.

• at 410 Atlanta Road Suite B – 880 bags were confiscated

• King John Smoke Shop at 3280 Keith Bridge Road at Hammond’s Crossing – 771 bags were confiscated by undercover narcotics investigators

• Heads Off Smoke Shop at 2325 Atlanta Highway – 87 bags were seized by narcotics officers

“This is the second time we have confiscated the suspected synthetic marijuana from all of these businesses,” said Sheriff Ted Paxton. “As I said in June when the new rule was adopted giving us the ability to confiscate these substances, we are going to remain diligent in monitoring the distributors. We are going to keep going back to these businesses to insure they are following the law."

This week's sweep is the second in less than 30 days of the above businesses known for selling synthetic pot also referred to as spice, bath salts and K2.

“Thanks goes out to the public for providing us with tips on some of the businesses that are not following the law. We urge any citizens who suspect that synthetic marijuana is still being sold, please contact us,” said Paxton.   

Authorities will be sending samples of the substances, from the bags confiscated, to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for testing.

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On Monday, June, 11, the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy (SBOP) adopted an emergency rule classifying newly discovered compounds of synthetic marijuana and giving Georgia P.O.S.T. certified officers the ability to enter any retail, wholesale, distributor or manufacturing facility to identify and seize drugs, compounds and articles identified in the emergency rule.

Officers would be acting as agents of the SBOP and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency (GDNA). The rule allows law enforcement to seize the new forms of the synthetic marijuana, but does not provide for an arrest.

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