USA Today (12/3, Leger) reports, “K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs that mimic a marijuana high sent 11,406 people…to the emergency room in 2010.” In fact, “in 59% of the cases involving patients ages 12 to 29, doctors found no other substance,” besides synthetic marijuana in the patients, which differs from most other drug-related hospital visits. According to USA Today, “At least 18 states outlawed the substances and the Drug Enforcement Administration instituted an emergency ban. In July, Congress banned sales of K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs under the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act.”
The Hill (12/5, Viebeck) reports in its “Healthwatch” blog that, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Synthetic marijuana can cause vomiting, seizures, hallucinations and paranoid behavior on a level that lands people in the hospital.” The Hill adds, “Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is behind a law that bans the drug’s chemical ingredients, hailed the study” detailing the dangers of synthetic marijuana. The story was also covered by HealthDay (12/5, Mozes) and by CBS News (12/5, Castillo).
Related Links:
— “Report: Synthetic pot sends thousands to hospital, “Donna Leinwand Leger, USA Today, December 4, 2012.