Authorities Search Convenience Store for Synthetic Pot After Overdoses

Police conducted a search of Richdale on Main Street Wednesday afternoon after youths had overdosed on synthetic marijuana allegedly purchased there.

There were no arrests reported, but the search followed a lengthy investigation by local and federal authorities.

"Within the past several months, NAPD responded to several medical emergencies involving young persons who had overdosed on a substance purchased from a convenience store in town," North Andover Police Lt. Charles Gray said in a statement. "Working with our counterparts in DEA an investigation was initiated. As part of that investigation, a federal search warrant was executed at that business today."

The substance in question was "synthetic cannabinoid," Gray said.

Synthetic cannabis is not marijuana. It's herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals to induce a high when smoked, and it has been linked to medical emergencies -- including deaths -- nationwide. The chemicals have also been known to cause psychosis and hallucinations.

These drugs are banned in Massachusetts.

Police did not say what brand of synthetic cannabis the youths overdosed on, but common brands sold are "K2" and "Spice." Police also would not discuss how much, if any, of these substances may have been found at Richdale.

According to the DEA, "Since 2009, DEA has received an increasing number of reports from poison control centers, hospitals and law enforcement regarding these products."