Gas station owner charged with selling synthetic marijuana

LAPORTE | The owner of a gas station near Michigan City is accused of selling synthetic marijuana, a product now illegal in Indiana.

Hammond shop gets reprieve after closure for selling fake pot

HAMMOND | The city will allow a Calumet Avenue tobacco shop shut down earlier this month for alleged sales of synthetic marijuana to stay in business after owners agreed Thursday to jettison one of their partners.

Store owners appeal closure for alleged sales of fake dope

HAMMOND| Owners of a south Hammond tobacco shop announced they will appeal the closure of their shop, which authorities shut down last week for alleged sales of synthetic marijuana.

Ind., Ill., attorneys general meet about meth, synthetic drug abuse

EVANSVILLE | Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today convened an interstate summit to tackle the region’s growing threat of small-batch methamphetamine production and increasing use of synthetic drugs. They said coordinated strategies will bette…

City officials: Hammond store caught selling fake pot

HAMMOND | A Woodmar-area convenience store already on probation could lose its business license after employees last week sold synthetic marijuana to an undercover inspector, city officials said.

Retailers can turn in fake pot, 'bath salts' without penalty

INDIANAPOLIS | Retailers selling synthetic marijuana or illegal stimulants known as "bath salts" can turn them in for disposal – no questions asked – at any state police post through Sunday.

Governor OKs one-year shutdown for stores selling fake pot, 'bath salts'

INDIANAPOLIS | Businesses caught selling synthetic marijuana or stimulants known as "bath salts" will be effectively shut down for one year under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Mitch Daniels that took effect immediately.

House sends tax amnesty, 'bath salts,' alcohol bills to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | Three measures that significantly could affect county tax collections, local business operations and alcohol sales in Porter County are headed to the governor after the House agreed to Senate-approved changes to the legislation Monday.

Licenses restored at two Hammond shops cited for ordinance violations

HAMMOND | Business licenses were restored Thursday for two stores cited earlier this month for violations of city ordinances banning the sale of synthetic cannabis and the open display of adult merchandise.

House toughens ban on synthetic marijuana, 'bath salts'

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House voted 93-0 Tuesday to ban chemical compounds that are nearly identical to synthetic marijuana and stimulants marketed as "bath salts," and to punish stores that sell the illegal drugs.

Stores selling synthetic marijuana, 'bath salts' could be shut down for year

INDIANAPOLIS | A business caught selling synthetic marijuana or illegal stimulants marketed as "bath salts" would be shut down for one year under an amendment approved Monday by the Indiana House.

Chicago targets synthetic drugs disguised as 'bath salts'

CHICAGO | Chicago will become the first large U.S. city to punish retail outlets that sell synthetic stimulants masquerading as bath salts, plant food and other seemingly innocuous products.

Lawmakers vote to expand ban on synthetic marijuana, 'bath salts'

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation to ban additional varieties of synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" drugs was approved Thursday by the Indiana House.

Police sweeps net suspicious substances, bootleg DVDs

LAKE COUNTY | Officials seized suspicious substances and pirated DVDs during compliance checks from five different locations Tuesday, police said.

MARK KIESLING: Abusing bath salts: What can be next?

Looking at recent police news, you've got to wonder if there is anything safe out there any longer.

Uncontrollable 'bath salts' users a menace to cops, community, themselves

With names like Stairway to Heaven and Tranquility, synthetic street drugs dubbed bath salts give the impression of a serene high. But a video of a man who ingested the drug shows its effects are anything but.

Police: Driver on bath salts rams police cars

CHESTERTON | A woman who had taken bath salts was involved in a hit-and-run accident, hit a large landscape boulder at the Dunes State Park, and rammed several police cars as they tried to keep her from running into people at the park, police said.

Police: Woman hallucinated about murderer while on bath salts

PORTAGE | Police believe so-called bath salts led a 27-year-old Portage woman to believe a man was trying to kill her and her child.

Prescription drugs still threat to youths

VALPARAISO | Some of the most prevalent drugs being abused by the region's young people aren't found on the streets of a big city -- they're found in the medicine cabinets of suburban homes.

Synthetic pot, contraband seized from Gary businesses

GARY | Excise police officers joined Gary police and Drug Enforcement Administration officials in seizing illegal synthetic marijuana and other contraband from seven Gary businesses.