DEA makes synthetic marijuana illegal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Drug Enforcement Administration is doing what they can to keep any and all forms of "fake marijuana" off the streets.

"It raises the blood pressure and makes you very paranoid,  causes damage to the lungs....so I believe this is a drug that's really gonna be dangerous," said Phil Bulone, a substance abuse interventionist.

The "fake pot" looks like tobacco and users say it smells like incense or potpourri. With street names like "K-2" or "Spice", as of November 24th it's illegal to sell or use in the US.

The Contact Five Investigators went undercover six months ago to find out how easy it is to buy K-2 in local stores. This month, we rode along with the Saint Lucie Sheriff's Office as deputies asked store owners to voluntarily pull the product from their shelves.

According to the DEA, the synthetic substance does provide its user with a marijuana-like high and has become increasingly popular with teenagers.

The "fake pot" is sold in stores and online and come in little bags for $20 to $30.