DEAR DR. GOTT: As a somewhat young senior, I was shocked to hear and view an article on television last evening regarding synthetic marijuana that has caused many very serious problems with our younger citizens. I’ve seen and heard a lot in my 60 years but am shocked because of the ingenuity, if I can call it that, of people who produce it and others who are willing to use it for such a stupid pleasure. What can you tell me about this?
DEAR READER: Well, I’m with you in thinking I’d heard it all, only to find every day brings something new to the forefront. This product marketed as herbal incense has been around since 2006, with other reports indicating it was available in 2002 in Europe. The chemical additive HU-210 is a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the US. Almost a year ago, the Drug Enforcement Agency prohibited its use, possession and sale of all of the five different chemicals in the product for one year while health and safety issues could be researched. It was and is sold and marketed under a number of names to include Black Mamba, Red X Dawn, Blueberry Haze, Dank, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Ultra Chronic, Voodoo Spice, Hawaiian Hybrid, Ninja, Magma, and Blaze. Two of its well-know byproducts, K-2 and Spice, are illegal, as well.
The product is a mixture of dried leaves obtained from herbs to include Indian lotus, honeyweed, blue Egyptian water lily, dwarf skullcap, Indian warrior, lion’s tail and beach bean. It is green, brown, red and blonde in color and marketed in foil packs or plastic bags under the guise of incense, herbs and tea. The problem is, those herbs are sprayed with chemicals that mimic the properties of THC, the primary, active chemical in marijuana. THC does not remain in the system for an extended period of time; however, the chemicals used to produce Spice and K2 remain in the organs and brain longer, creating the potential for overdose and even death. The “potpourri” is dangerous by itself; however, many users combine it with alcohol consumption, causing major health issues.
Because the producers wanted the revenues from the product, they skirted problems by eliminating one of the “chemicals” and unfortunately, synthetic marijuana appeared on the market once again online, in tobacco and head shops, as well as gas stations across the country. How can producers get away with selling it? Well, because of the way the product is packaged. It is intended to be used as an aromatic potpourri only and is not designed or intended for human consumption. Both the manufacturers and retailers of the product take no responsibility for the incorrect use or misuse of the product.
Most recently, two new synthetic marijuana agonists have been created that differ from the structure of THC. As such, they are not considered controlled substances and manufacturers are once again able to legally market their products in several of the United States.
A little more than a month ago ten individuals were admitted to a hospital in San Diego for the treatment of psychoses resulting from the use of Spice. Two men on the East Coast burned an almost irreplaceable treasured curling club while under the influence and a noted celebrity was treated for a “breakdown and psychotic episode” with rumors of synthetic marijuana use combined with alcohol as the cause. Hospital admissions have soared because of the varied ways this product affects users.
Those people who may be in rehabilitation programs or applying for jobs that require pre-employment drug screening clearance or athletes who feel they cannot make it to the top without steroids or illicit drugs will test negative during drug analysis unless an extremely expensive test is conducted that is likely cost-prohibitive. Therefore, teens and drug users are drawn to this alternative.
Synthetic marijuana is not tested, nor is it regulated by the federal government. There are no standards and an individual has no idea what he or she is inhaling. The product(s) can cause hallucinations, seizures, extreme agitation, heart attacks, vomiting, psychotic episodes, and death. Yes, death. Forget the temporary high. Our children could die! The number of calls to poison control centers in the United States regarding this product has doubled in the last year alone and, to my way of thinking, this is too big a price to pay. Parents and caregivers must take an active role in getting users into a safe program and off this devastating product. We cannot stop entrepreneurs from being creative. They’ll always be out there, but we can and should do everything in our power to prevent our children from being victims for profit.