Banned: Deputies begin crackdown on synthetic drugs

A new law is giving law enforcement the upper hand in the fight against synthetic drugs.

Pinellas County deputies are starting a big crackdown on the sale of synthetic drugs, which have made headlines over the past year. They're forcing store owners to pull all of them off shelves – things like the fake marijuana known as "K-2" and "Spice."

It's one of the many new laws that went into effect Sunday, and it now makes it illegal to possess, own, make or sell synthetic marijuana.

Deputies will be spreading the word Monday to local business owners.

"The notices will go out starting today to educate our retailers about the new law, to encourage compliance and to answer any questions," Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. "Deputies will then conduct subsequent checks for these products to ensure that these illegal items are not made available to the public."

Just last month they started a sticker program to warn people. They put stickers on every local store letting people know who is and isn't selling the drugs.

Now, it's a third-degree felony to sell or possess the chemicals.

"I started experiencing a lot of rage, a lot of violent tendencies, a lot of violent urges," said David, who says he used to experiment with "Spice."

Deputies will begin by issuing notices to all local retailers, letting them know about the new law. They'll go door-to-door Monday morning to issue the notices.

And they'll be doing frequent checkups to ensure the synthetic drugs stay off the shelves.