Bans of synthetic marijuana called K2 do little to deter entrepreneurs, eager smokers

Bans on fake pot do little to deter business

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Lawmakers in 13 states thought they were acting to curb a public health threat when they voted this year to outlaw a form of synthetic marijuana known as K2.

But even before the laws took effect, many stores that sold the fake pot had already gotten around the bans by making slight changes to the chemical formula. They created knockoffs with names such as “K3,” ”Heaven Scent” and “Syn.”

Now even police acknowledge that the laws are all but meaningless because merchants can so easily offer legal alternatives.

K2 is a concoction of dried herbs sprayed with chemicals. The blends are marketed as incense and aromatherapy products, but many users smoke them in search of a marijuana-like high.