American teens are getting attracted more and more to a herb-based product for their ‘high’. This product is a synthetic substance called K2 or spice. It gives a high similar to marijuana, say drug officials. Synthetic marijuana’s increasing popularity is alarming lawmakers, law enforcement officials and health care experts.
K2 is Made in Asia
Synthetic marijuana is made in Asia and available in the U.S. in local stores and online. K2 and other similar substances are being passed off as herbal incense. It is available in 3-gram bags, in many flavors. A 3-gram bag costs between $30 to $40. The herbs in K2 are mixed with synthetic materials, that are akin to THC, which is found in marijuana. It is this THC that gives users the desired high.
Adverse Side Effects of Synthetic Marijuana
Drug and health officials are worried about the quality of this synthetic marijuana as its production is unregulated. Thus, users may end up inhaling contaminants. In fact, this could be the reason why some users of K2 have reported adverse symptoms. While there has been a lot of research on marijuana, not much is known about K2.
Scary Spice
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says users of synthetic marijuana are playing Russian roulette. Hospitals have reported receiving patients with symptoms such as respiratory issues and heart palpitations, after using K2. Additional side effects include dilated pupils, increased agitation, vomiting, delusions, hallucinations and panic attacks. This has led to K2 being nicknamed “Scary Spice” by health officials.
Kansas Bans K2
Kansas is the first state to ban K2. In cities across Kansas, prison parolees and high school students were using synthetic marijuana to avoid testing positive for drugs. State officials opine the drug has a significant potential for abuse. Nine other states have banned K2 and similar brands of synthetic marijuana. European countries such as France, Poland, Germany and Britain have already banned K2.
