First Felony Conviction in Texas for Synthetic Marijuana Was in Amarillo

It seems like it was forever ago when people were talking about K2 or 'Spice'. It dominated headlines. The synthetic marijuana alternative seemed like it was everywhere. Then came the laws banning it, and substances like it.

Did you know that the first Texas felony conviction for K2 was in Amarillo?

Yep, No Kidding. We Got Dibs on K2 Crimes

In case you forgot, K2 (or Spice) was one of many types of synthetic marijuana being sold. The goal of the substance was to mimic the psychoactive effects of THC. What wound up happening, according to the archives of the Office of National Drug Control Policy archive under then President Obama, was a lot of people getting sick, having seizures, hallucinating, among other intense effects. This, of course, led to legislation banning the substance and substances like it.

It was sold as "potpourri" or "herbal incense." The packaging would often be marked saying it wasn't safe for human consumption, and that it was for aromatic or fragrant purposes only.

In 2012, the first felony conviction for K2 was handed out in Randall County.

K2 Smoke Shop Busts

Think back to around the time around 2012 and 2013. That was when several "smoke" shops in the area were visited by agents who then seized K2 or substances like it, and arrested several people. The arrest of James Medina, however, would lead to the first felony conviction for K2 in Texas.

According to reports at the time, Medina, owned the shop Up N Smoke. He was charged with selling K2 and according to reports at the time, after pleading guilty, received a 10-year prison sentence.

While this all seems like a problem that has long since passed, it's still out there and it's still causing problems. Even in 2023, there are still reports of individuals having to hospitalized, and some dying, after using K2 across the state of Texas.