Concerns over chemicals in synthetic pot

The strawberry alarm clock in downtown Merced has trouble keeping synthetic pot in stock.

"There's the Mr. Nice Guy and the Head Hunter. Those two are probably the biggest sellers..."

Travis Strang says the store gets shipments once a month and quickly sells out. The products are sold as incense, and even state they're not for human consumption on the package... But health officials across the country say an increasing number of kids are smoking the substance and many are getting very sick as a result.

"The recent ones I've known about are rashes, vomiting, dizziness, sickness, obvious symptoms of ingesting chemicals," Deputy Tom MacKenzie said.

Deputy Tom Mackenzie says it's even potentially deadly. But law enforcement agencies could do nothing to fight the problem because the substance has been sold legally.. until now. The drug enforcement administration has banned the chemicals used in synthetic pot for at least the next year and is considering a permanent move to make it illegal.

"I figured it would come. I'm shocked it's taken this long to be honest with you," Travis Strang said.

Strang says this week he's received several calls a day from companies offering to sell the product at very cheap prices. But even though his store makes money off it, strang doesn't mind the ban.

"I think it's not a bad thing if it's bad for people, get rid of it."

Critics argue outlawing synthetic pot will only lead to an illegal market for the drug. But stephen heagy, who has a medical marijuana card, says at least that would make it harder for kids to get their hands on the chemical coated herbs.

"It's unregulated, and it's scary, and it's dangerous," Stephen Heagy said.