CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has charged Nathan Reed, 19, of 3255 Yankee St., Niles, with possession of synthetic marijuana as a result of an incident which occurred on or about Nov. 1.

Reed was meeting with his probation officer at the Michigan Department of Corrections office at the 1899 courthouse in Cassopolis, when he was found in possession of the now controlled substance.

Synthetic marijuana is an organic substance sold as potpourri at stores and gas stations nationwide.

Synthetic marijuana, also known as Spice, K-2 and Mr. Smiley, are sprayed chemicals such as JWH-018 to create a high similar to that of smoking marijuana.

Effective Oct. 1, the Michigan Legislature amended the Controlled Substances Act to make JWH-018 and other synthetic forms of THC a schedule 1 controlled substance.

THC is the component of marijuana that creates the high.

The maximum penalty if convicted is a year in jail.

Reed was scheduled to be arraigned at 3:30 Nov. 2 before Fourth District Judge Stacey Rentfrow.