It’s legal, so it must be harmless, right? That’s what teens who turn to synthetic marijuana for quick high seem to think. But synthetic marijuana, also known by the street names K2 or spice, could land users in the emergency room.
Researchers examined three cases of teens admitted to the emergency room after suspected use of synthetic marijuana. In each case they found behaviors ranging from agitation and increased sweating to an inability to speak and hallucinations.
So much for the idea that synthetic marijuana is safe.
"These drugs are unregulated," said study co-author Dr. Joanna Cohen, a pediatric emergency physician at the Children's National Medical Center. "Symptoms can be unpredictable because the drug is mixed with other types of chemicals and substances."
Synthetic marijuana is manufactured, but this doesn’t mean there is any greater control over ingredients. The contents and potency of synthetic marijuana products vary greatly. Synthetic marijuana contains a blend of plants and herbs which are sprayed with an active ingredient such as JWH-018, a synthetic cannabinoid. The active ingredients are similar to cannabis in that they produce a marijuana-like high. While JWH-018 and four chemicals similar to it were declared controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2011, there are other variations of the drug that remain legally available.
Synthetic marijuana has grown in popularity in recent years. In 2011 poison control centers reported handling nearly 7,000 calls about K2, nearly double the number processed in 2010. Side effects can range from confusion and aggression to trouble with speech, catatonia and the inability to respond to touch.
If you or someone you love needs substance abuse help, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
