Father, Son Ran $2M Synthetic Pot Business: Feds Charge

By Joseph Hosey

A father and son were charged with running a $2 million mail order synthetic marijuana business.

James Matthew Bolin, 49, and his son, 31-year-old Jimmy Bolin, of Illinois, were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday.

"The Bolins bought and sold products that they and their suppliers―located in California, Florida, and New York―falsely referred to as 'incense,' 'herbal incense,' 'herbal potpourri,' and other misleading names, but, in fact, the drugs were falsely labeled, indicating they were not intended for human consumption when they actually were," the U.S. Attorney's statement said.

"The packages also failed to bear labels identifying the name and quantity of active ingredients, as well as the name and location of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, the indictment alleges."

According to Thursday's indictment, The Bolins bought, marketed and sold products identified as G-20 Herbal Potpourri, Joker Herbal Potpourri, Caution Blitzen Herbal Potpourri, Kronik Kryponite Herbal Potpourri, AK-47 24 Karat Gold Potpourri, ZenBio Sonic Zero Cherry, ZenBio Sonic Zero Blueberry, Hip Hop, Darkness Prince, Out World, Cherry Bomb, Caution Platinum Super Strong Incense, Caution Silver Super Strong Incense, Diablo Botanical Incense, Bizarro, Smoking Santa, Mr. Happy and OMG Next Generation.

They were charged with "multiple offenses relating to misbranding and trafficking drugs," according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office. James Matthew Bolin also faces seven counts of money laundering.

The Bolin's synthetic marijuana enterprise ran from January 2010 through June 2013 and netted them about $2 million, the indictment states.

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