GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -
(06/27/12) - They've been reported to cause hallucinations, erratic and even violent behavior but synthetic drugs are coming off store shelves.
Sold under brand names like K-2, Spice or Red Magic they will no longer be legal in Michigan.
Leading up to the ban, which kicks in on July 1, State Police are making sure store owners know they will face criminal charges if they sell the drugs after Sunday.
State Police Trooper Rick Jones checks out a party store on Saginaw Street in Flint. The owner said someone tried to get them to sell what's believed to be synthetic marijuana in the store.
"If he's not back before July 1, I'd be getting rid of it," said Trooper Jones.
As the Sunday deadline approaches, troopers are going door to door across the state, making sure gas stations, party stores and smoke shops know the new law makes it illegal to buy, sell or use synthetic drugs.
"You know it's going to be illegal as of July 1," said Trooper Rick Jones.
Next up, a stop on Bristol Road in Flint Township. "Do you guys still have it up...no, no. You don't have any it anymore."
Khirfan's has been in business for nearly five decades in Genesee County and they want to keep it that way.
"We've never sold it, we have had people come in and try to have us buy it from them to sell in the store, give us literature on how it's not illegal, but I knew from the get go what it was all about," said Brad Khirfan.
Trooper Jones made one more stop in Flint Township, telling store owners to be on alert. "If they start asking about the drugs, you can tell them now it's going to be illegal as of a couple more days."
"I'm glad they are banning it, it's not a good product for kids to be using," added Brad Khirfan.
Contact State Police in Flint if you know of a store that continues to sell synthetic drugs after the ban.
