Washington, DC – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) launched a concerted initiative to end the sales of dangerous synthetic drugs in the District and filed an action against a Petworth convenience store for sales of synthetic cannabinoids.

The drugs are sometimes referred to as “synthetic marijuana” because they purport to mimic the effects of THC, the operative chemical in cannabis. However, synthetic drugs often contain hallucinogens and other chemicals and are highly dangerous – and sometimes even deadly – because they are unregulated and inconsistent in their contents. The manufacturers of these drugs often market them to children, with name brands like “Scooby Snax” and colorful packaging bearing images of cartoon characters.

“People may think that something called ‘synthetic marijuana’ is largely harmless – but that’s far removed from the extremely dangerous truth of these drugs,” Attorney General Racine said. “The Office of the Attorney General has launched an all-out effort to end the sales of these chemicals to District residents – and particularly to our children, who are preyed on by the unscrupulous manufacturers and purveyors of these drugs.”

OAG’s Neighborhood and Victim Services Unit has filed a complaint against the owners of 3661 Georgia Avenue NW, where the Amanuel Market operates, under the District’s public-nuisance laws. OAG has also filed Notices of Unlawful Activity against the owners of 800 Upshur Street NW and 3653 Georgia Avenue NW because of repeated instances of selling synthetic drugs. The owners of those properties are working with OAG to comply with the law. Additionally, OAG has filed a drug-nuisance case against the owner of Aida’s Electronics at 209 Florida Avenue NW in Ward 5.

In February, Attorney General Racine joined attorneys general from 43 states and territories in a letter asking nine oil companies to collaborate with their franchisees to eliminate synthetic drugs from gas stations and convenience stores operating under their brand names. (http://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-racine-urges-nine-oil-companies-eliminate-synthetic-drugs-their-retail)

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