Roswell Police Warn of Synthetic Pot

ROSWELL, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Several teenagers were out of the hospital Wednesday after police said they had to be treated for smoking a new form of synthetic pot. Investigators said the substance is legal and sold as incense, but they said more and more people are smoking it to get high.

It's known as spice, genie, K-2 or ganja. Anyone over 18 can legally buy the incense at smoke shops. The package says the so-called spice is a combination of rare plants, herbal extracts and botanical concentrates.

Roswell police said several teens were admitted to North Fulton Medical Center after apparently smoking spice Sunday morning. One of the teens had a severe reaction.

"He had some swelling of the brain he was more affected, there were two that were more affected than any of the others," said Lieutenant James McGee.

Lt. McGee said two teens spent the night in the hospital. Four more teens were treated and released.

Roswell police said emergency room doctors tested the teens for meth, marijuana and cocaine but found no traces of those drugs.

"We got some information it may be this new drug spice," said Lt. McGee.

A DEA spokesman said spice mimics THC, the chemical in marijuana which gives users a high.

"They're saying it's a drug of concern," said McGee.

An employee of Smoke 911 in Roswell said customers are strictly checked to make sure they're 18 or older.

"They're not breaking any laws. There's no rules to break it passed the FDA regulation," said a Smoke 911 employee.

Both employees at the smoke shop and police both agreed that parents should be aware of spice.

"Watch your kids, know what they're doing," advised Lt. McGee.