Reader Poll: Fake Pot—Should It Be Banned?

Shop owners are raking in outlandish profits on synthetic marijuana, marking up the product as much as 500 percent, said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow earlier this week.

And that's why at least some merchants plan to continue carrying it despite a law that makes its sale a felony starting Jan. 1.

During a Tuesday press conference at , Glasgow—joined by State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, Will County Executive Larry Walsh and a veritable army of Will County police chiefs—told of the reluctance to stop selling supposedly dangerous, and soon to be illegal, drugs.

"They told him no, they're not pulling it off (the shelves) because the profit's too good," Glasgow said.

"We're going to have to force them, by passing this legislation," Glasgow said. "The message is: Get this stuff off your shelves!"

Marketed as incense and currently legal for anyone of any age to buy, synthetic marijuana poses great health risks, Glasgow said.

Most of the products are clearly marked that they are not for human consumption, but shop owners are all too quick to instruct customers on how to consume them, said Dave Margliano, a retired investigator and police sergeant.

Glasgow researched and drafted the law, which was sponsored by Cross, who lauded the bipartisan effort in Will County to push the legislation through.

The law makes both the possession and sale of synthetic marijuana a felony. The penalty for selling more than 200 grams of the product can range as high as 30 years in prison with a $500,000 fine.

Given the above, we ask you...