Happie Hippie Smoke Shop shut down over Kush allegations

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County smoke shop accused of selling synthetic cannabinoids known as Kush is being sued by county and state law enforcement officials.

The drug is essentially grounded up potpourri sprayed with dangerous chemicals. Kush can cause comatose or aggressive behavior. Some people even describe users as "zombie-like."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, joined by the Harris County Attorney's Office, sued the Happie Hippie Smoke Shop as well as two associated individuals this week.

The lawsuit wants Harris County District Court to grant temporary and permanent injunctions against the former operators Esam Ali-Hasan and James Ayling to halt all activities related to selling the synthetic drug.

The smoke shop, which is now closed, was located in the 8900 block of North Freeway.

Ayling and Ali-Hasan were both charged with felony drug charges following a Houston Police Department undercover investigation that found synthetic cannabinoids crystals at the store and a processing operation in an apartment shared by the men, officials say.

In September, a similar suit obtained restraining orders against three Spice Boutique smoke shops and their owners.

The court actions followed an incident where more than a dozen people at Hermann Park overdosed on synthetic marijuana.

HFD says it deals with Kush-related problems at Hermann Park almost every day.