Fake Weed In College Park

I just left the College Park Convenience Store, right next to the Papa John's on College Avenue near Route 1. It's not a complicated establishment, but they've got the basics — soda, chips and artificial marijuana.

Yup! I went in today and right there on the counter was a big sign bragging about how they now sell K2, a synthetic, legal marijuana alternative that some people are not happy about. It's apparently a groundbreaking blend of oregano and muriatic acid that gets you high but makes 8th graders think they're dying. It sounds like amazing stuff, especially if you're an 8th grader.  Maybe this is the part of me that hasn't been to California, which is "all of me," but I was taken aback by its open sale in College Park. Though I guess if I had to pick a town that would buy it, it's (certain studentish demographics of) this one.

They're also selling Djarum Black cigarettes, which, depending on which urban legend you believe, is outlawed around here. Does anyone know for certain if flavored cigarettes are banned in Maryland? The closest I could come to a conclusive answer was a Washington Post article from 1986 about people being annoyed at the then-new ban. The only other info was one little paragraph on a now-deleted page of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco company website last updated in 2006.

But I really didn't look that hard for the answer. I spent all day smoking K2.