Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering says three people had to be treated in intensive care, and the five others were released.
All the smokers were between 16 and 25 years of age.
Doering says the eight became ill after smoking a substance called "Crazy Clown" that was made in Colorado and purchased at a store in Brunswick.
The substance is called synthetic marijuana or spice. It's a form of incense.
No one has been arrested, and Doering says lab tests are needed to determine if the substance had chemical compounds that are illegal under Georgia law.
At the meeting in Gainesville, GBI Crime Lab Chemistry Section Manager Nelly Miles said she's seen clear evidence of how dangerous synthetic pot is for young people.
"There are breathing problems, seizures, kidney problems and two confirmed deaths in Georgia. People are under the assumption that because it's easy to obtain it must not be that bad for you but in fact, it being man made, chemicals manufactured in labs, it's extremely harmful."
(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford and Jerry Gunn contributed to this story.)
At the meeting in Gainesville, GBI Crime Lab Chemistry Section Manager Nelly Miles said she's seen clear evidence of how dangerous synthetic pot is for young people.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/8/264841