Shop halts sale of druglike herbs: Owner cites safety 
for discontinuing sale of ‘Space’ and ‘K2’

DIXON – An herb resembling marijuana being sold at two local smoke shops, and reported about in the Feb. 27 edition of SV Weekend, has been pulled from the shelves.

Sami Aljabari, owner of Sam’s Wholesale Tobacco & Gifts in Dixon and Oregon, said Monday he had pulled the herb “Space” from both shops after reports that some who smoked the product had been hospitalized after having a bad reaction.

“I don’t care if it’s legal or illegal – I feel for the parents, and I am concerned and care about the community,” Aljabari said.

The store also has stopped selling a second herb, “K2,” which was sold briefly last month, Aljabari said.

Both “Space” and “K2” contain synthetic chemicals that, experts say, provide the same high as marijuana.

Both are marketed as aromatic incense, and “Not for human consumption” is written on the packages.

The Dixon Police Department started investigating both products in late January after receiving tips that people were becoming ill after they smoked the herbs. The department obtained a package of “K2,” which was sent to the Illinois State Police lab in Rockford for a chemical analysis to determine whether the herb contains salvia divinorum, a Mexican hallucinogenic herb that has been illegal in Illinois since 2008.

The results of the chemical analysis are expected back any day now, Lt. Clay Whelan said Friday.

Sterling and Rock Falls police have had no complaints about either herb and are aware of no local smoke shops or gas stations that sell them.