Despite last summer’s arrests at area convenience stores, synthetic marijuana is still being called a problem in Elkhart County.

Investigators with the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office say the so-called “legal high” sold for ten dollars a packet before the arrests in June are still available in Elkhart, but now the price has skyrocketed to as much as 80 dollars per packet.

Ed Windbigler, chief investigator with the prosecutor’s office and an Elkhart city council candidate, says banning the drugs isn’t enough because new versions keep arriving on the street. He also said that attempts to obtain the drug are often involved in much more serious crimes, including murder.