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.

Police close Hammond shop linked to alleged fake pot sale

HAMMOND | Police closed a discount tobacco store Monday for selling what's believed to be 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…

Police: Gary gas mart shut down after drug bust

CROWN POINT | Police seized several vials of suspected synthetic marijuana, cash and large amounts of drug paraphernalia from a Gary gas mart, making four arrests and shutting down the store, a police spokeswoman said Thursday.

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.

Police: Hobart man high on fake pot trashed apartment in Valpo

VALPARAISO | A Hobart man trashed his friend's apartment Saturday while high on synthetic marijuana, police said.

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.

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.

Drug test lands driver accused of killing jogger in jail before trial

VALPARAISO | A Union Township man, who is charged with killing a jogger while driving high on marijuana, was taken back to jail Friday after testing positive for using a synthetic version of marijuana while on pre-trial release.

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.

Fake pot, real danger

The Indiana General Assembly passed two laws last year to ban synthetic marijuana. However, it continues to be sold in convenience stores and gas stations locally and across the state. Manufacturers have been slightly altering the chemical structure of the products to get around the bans.

Fake pot, real danger

Eric Johnson smokes an electronic cigarette at his family's home in Lowell. He has been sober more than 30 days after becoming addicted to synthetic marijuana.

Fake pot, real danger

Eric Johnson, seen outside his family's Lowell home, stopped using synthetic marijuana after experiencing sickening side effects. Worse witdrawal symptoms followed. He now is fighting to stay clean and warns others to avoid fake pot.

Fake pot, real danger

LOWELL | Christmas was just more than a week away, and Eric Johnson was unsure if he would live to see it. Johnson had been smoking synthetic marijuana, known as "fake," among his friends.