Man robs Hamilton adult novelty store of synthetic marijuana

A male suspectheld upa Hamilton adult novelty store on Saturday night,emptying itof its stock of synthetic marijuana, police say.

According topolice, theman walked into the Love Shop at 260 Main St. E. on Saturday at around 10:15 p.m. He approached the counter and demanded the clerk hand over the store's supply of ISMZ.

The suspect said he had a weapon, but never brought one out, police say.

Theclerk gave him the product andthe suspect fled on foot.

Police spokespersonDebbie McGreal-Dinning told CBC Hamilton onMonday afternoon that ISMZ is an illegal substance, but said she could not comment on whether the police were pursuing charges against the Love Shop.

She said the Hamilton Police Service's Break and Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery (BEAR) Unit is continuing to investigate.

Synthetic marijuana

Synthetic marijuana typically involves dried plant material sprayed with one of several chemical compounds, most of which were created by a Clemson University scientist for research purposes in the 1990s. The compounds were never tested on humans.

Packaged to look like pot, synthetic marijuana is sold under several brand names such as "K-2" and "Spice." It isusually smoked, andexperts say the high is more comparable to cocaine or LSD than naturally grown marijuana.

According to U.S. medical reports, someusers ofsynthetic marijuanahave suffered side effects including panic attacks, heart palpitations, hallucinations, delusions and vomiting.

"Many of the users describe extreme paranoia," said Dr. Mark Ryan, director of the Louisiana Poison Center. "The recurring theme is monsters, demons and aliens. A lot of them had suicidal thoughts."