Officials in Macomb County say they're not waiting for the state to outlaw synthetic marijuana. And they're essentially deputizing the public to get stores to stop selling it.
Synthetic marijuana has been implicated as a factor in some recent violent crimes. Public officials elsewhere in Michigan have asked gas stations and convenience stores to take the drug off their shelves. But Macomb County is getting more aggressive.
A new public health order bans the sale of the products - often called K2 or spice. County Executive Mark Hackel is asking people to download copies of the order from the county's website, and take them to stores selling the products. And he thinks they will.
"I mean, people have been absolutely, incredibly engaged in this because it affects their children, and they're seeing what's happening in their neighborhoods, and even in the schools," said Hackel.
Hackel is asking people to report stores that don't comply, and says law enforcement will then be dispatched to those places.
The violation carries a $200 fine and up to six months in jail.
