State Charges Dropped in Synthetic Drug Case

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - State charges against a Duluth store owner who sold synthetic drugs have been dropped.

Last Place on Earth owner James Carlson has been convicted of 51 federal charges relating to the sale of the synthetic drugs at his head shop. . He was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison without parole. Carlson is appealing that sentence.

Carlson faced nine state felony charges, which were dismissed Tuesday. A motion hearing scheduled for Thursday has been canceled.

Carlson's former girlfriend Lava Haugen is also appealing her 5-year sentence. Carlson's son, Joseph Gellerman, was sentenced to three years of probation.