Store Owner Accused Of Distributing Synthetic Pot

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — The owner of a Fountain convenience store has been arrested on suspicion of distributing synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice."

Police say Kong Hoon Kim, who owns a Kwik Way store on Lake Avenue, was arrested Saturday. Detectives previously found about 96 grams of the drug at the store.

While real marijuana is legal in Colorado, synthetic marijuana — dried plant material sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids — is illegal. Other states and the federal government have tried to ban it, but regulators have had a hard time keeping up with its latest chemical makeup.

"Spice," which first appeared in the United States in 2009, is sold under a variety of brand names in colorful wrappers.