Once a substance becomes illegal, the producers of synthetic cannabinoids switch the banned substance to a legal chemical.ĭr. That's one of the reasons that synthetic cannabinoids pose a cat-and-mouse scenario for law enforcement. Her department has a new lab where testing of controlled substances is done. Jenifer Smith, director of the Department of Forensic Sciences in Washington, D.C. Even though the components are legal, she says, synthetic cannabinoids are dangerous, she says, "not just because of the chemicals, but because of the mixture of chemicals."ĭr. She's the director of the Department of Forensic Sciences in Washington, D.C. Often chemicals involved in a particular batch of synthetic cannabinoids are not banned, says Dr. The CDC data don't include recent cases in Washington, D.C. Since March, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Maryland have reported the most cases. "The concentration of the active ingredient(s) can vary significantly between batches or even within the same batch," making the drugs very dangerous. "The contents of synthetic cannabinoid products can be unpredictable" says Boehmer. In this photo illustration, packets of K2 or "spice", a synthetic marijuana drug, are seen in East Harlem on Augin New York City.īoehmer says that since July 13, 2018, state health departments across the country have reported 255 cases, including eight deaths associated with synthetic cannabinoids that contain brodifacoum, an ingredient used in rat poison. They are often made from a combination of legal components - but those combinations are proving deadly and are creating big challenges for the first responders, health workers and law enforcement. They come in shiny packages with bright logos – they could easily be mistaken for party favors. Happy, Scooby Snax, Kush and Kronic, according to the CDC. They are sold under several catchy brand names such as K2, Spice, AK-47, Mr.
Synthetics are a collection of man-made psychoactive chemicals that are sprayed on plant material. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is tracking multiple outbreaks across the country associated with synthetic cannabinoids use and The Food and Drug Administration recently warned of "severe illnesses and deaths" that have resulted from the use of contaminated synthetic marijuana products in recent months in several states. The reported overdoses are offering a glimpse into a wrenching national problem. Last month, more than 300 people similarly overdosed in Washington, D.C. Overdoes associated with the drug known as K2 have occurred in neighborhoods across the district including H Street.Īfter consuming what is suspected to be tainted synthetic marijuana, known as K2, more than 70 people overdosed Wednesday in New Haven, Conn. Last month, more than 300 people overdosed on tainted synthetic marijuana in Washington, D.C.
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