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K2. Spice. Fake. Blaze. Black Mamba. These are just a few of the various aliases for synthetic marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana first appeared on the streets of the US in 2008. Known by many different names, its appeal as a legal alternative to marijuana has grown, despite being one of the most enigmatic and dangerous drugs available today.
10. It’s Not Really Marijuana
The term 'synthetic marijuana' implies it's a form of marijuana, but this is far from accurate. In reality, synthetic marijuana has almost no similarities with true marijuana.
Marijuana is a natural plant, typically consumed through smoking or ingestion. Its potency varies depending on its cultivation, which influences its distribution. As long as it's not mixed with other substances, marijuana remains a completely natural product.
On the other hand, synthetic marijuana is made up of a mix of random dried plants, like herbs, which are coated with chemicals known as cannabinoids. These chemicals imitate the psychoactive effects of THC, the main component in marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana isn't a natural product, but rather a concoction of several artificially created chemicals sprayed onto lifeless plants. Additionally, it is far more potent than marijuana, and its strength is not consistent or controlled.
9. We Have No Idea What’s In It
For years, synthetic marijuana was legally available in head shops and even gas stations. When the US introduced laws banning the most common chemical compounds found in synthetic drugs, manufacturers responded by tweaking the chemical structure with new substances to sidestep the laws. While this tactic worked for a time, there is now no standard formula for synthetic marijuana.
The chemical formulas used in synthetic marijuana have grown so intricate that even suppliers aren't fully aware of the precise components or the potency levels. It's even possible for two packets of synthetic marijuana from the same manufacturer, purchased on the same day, from the same supplier, to contain entirely different substances.
Imagine two 16-year-olds purchasing a packet of Black Mamba from a local dealer. They share the packet equally, but one might suffer an overdose while the other remains unaffected—this is due to the fact that they are smoking two completely different chemical mixtures.
8. A Growing Number of People Are Facing Harmful Effects
In 2015, there was a dramatic rise in reports of people suffering adverse reactions to synthetic marijuana. Between January and May, US poison control centers logged nearly 3,600 calls about the drug's harmful effects. This marked a 229 percent increase compared to the same period in 2014.
April 2015 saw an alarming spike in calls, with 1,000 coming in just the first three weeks of the month. Moreover, Mississippi alone recorded over 400 emergency room visits in April 2015 due to synthetic marijuana-related reactions.
Regulating synthetic marijuana use is nearly impossible. Even if someone has used it before, taking a single puff of Blaze can result in an overdose because of the varying chemical blends. The most common adverse effects include rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, seizures, tremors, agitation, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and attempted suicide.
7. It Can Be Fatal
Between January and May of 2015, synthetic marijuana was responsible for the deaths of 15 individuals. Due to the ever-changing combinations of chemicals used, doctors often face challenges in identifying overdoses unless they are specifically informed about synthetic marijuana use. This can delay the delivery of proper medical care.
Even when a doctor knows that a patient has ingested synthetic marijuana, they may only be able to manage the symptoms rather than administering the most effective treatment to counteract the specific chemicals involved. This is because the components of synthetic marijuana are often unknown or unpredictable.
If a doctor is aware that a patient has overdosed on cocaine, they likely know the precise steps to take. This is not the case with synthetic marijuana overdoses, where the treatment is far less certain.
Kendrick Sneed, a soldier who returned from a deployment in West Africa in January 2015, was initially thought to have died from Ebola. However, his autopsy revealed that his cause of death was actually intoxication from synthetic marijuana. The true number of fatalities caused by synthetic marijuana overdoses in the US remains unclear.
6. It Can Make People Psychotic And Catatonic
Synthetic marijuana is known to trigger severe mental health issues, such as hallucinations and psychotic episodes, which are typically seen in individuals with schizophrenia. These effects are unpredictable and can occur in any user of the drug.
In one case, a man in Texas strangled his neighbor's dog and attempted to eat it while under the influence of synthetic marijuana. Similarly, a man in Phoenix fatally stabbed and decapitated his wife, later telling authorities that he had consumed synthetic marijuana.
Dr. Gary K. Starkey, the medical director at Riverside Behavioral Health Center in Hampton, Virginia, has reported admitting 1 to 2 patients weekly who suffer from psychosis due to synthetic marijuana. In an interview with Daily Press, Dr. Starkey stated, 'Marijuana has an antipsychotic effect to counter psychosis, but with spice, there is no counterbalance. It’s an extremely powerful hallucinogen.'
Synthetic marijuana can also cause a person to become catatonic, as was the case with a 19-year-old woman who used the drug in 2012. She lost control over her body's movements. Dr. Gonzalo Haro noted that her head and arms were 'similar to the praying mantis position.' After nearly a year of intensive medical and psychological treatment, the woman made a full recovery.
5. It’s Easy To Make
John W. Huffman, PhD, created synthetic marijuana as a way to explore the therapeutic and health benefits of marijuana without using the actual plant. His goal was to bypass the bureaucratic hurdles that typically arise when researching illegal substances.
Huffman's research also acted as a manual for those interested in producing the key chemical compound, JWH-018, found in synthetic marijuana. Over the years, other substances were added by imitators. In an interview with ABC News, Huffman stated, 'JWH-018 can be made by a halfway decent undergraduate chemistry major in three steps using commercially available materials.'
In a distinct interview with the Los Angeles Times, Huffman shared his suspicions that people would eventually turn the chemical compound into a recreational substance: 'I always had a hunch that one day someone would say, “Hey, let’s try smoking them.” And sure enough, that’s exactly what occurred.'
4. John W. Huffman, the Creator, Advocates for the Legalization of Marijuana
As previously noted, John W. Huffman, PhD, initially designed synthetic marijuana for scientific exploration, but although he backs the legal restriction on the drug, he is against the legal prohibition of marijuana. In an interview with ABC News, Huffman stated, 'We declared marijuana illegal in 1937. The federal government passed the law. Now, that really did a lot of good to keep people from smoking marijuana, didn’t it?'
Huffman is of the opinion that the primary reason people continue to use synthetic marijuana is because they cannot legally use natural marijuana. He believes that if marijuana were legalized, the demand for synthetic marijuana could diminish or stop altogether.
Huffman states that JWH-018 was not intended for human use. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he remarked, “These substances are hazardous—anyone who uses them is playing Russian roulette.” He also pointed out that natural marijuana is far less risky than synthetic marijuana, explaining, “You can’t overdose on marijuana, but you could on these chemicals.”
3. It's Aimed at Children
Synthetic marijuana is marketed to appeal to children. There is a seemingly endless array of eye-catching names and small, colorful packages that feature pop culture icons and cartoon characters. These designs often attract kids, who are initially drawn to what looks like 5 grams (0.20 oz) of candy inside the package.
Some of the packaging seems to almost challenge children to try it, featuring phrases like “Caution: Super Strong.” While these products are often labeled as incense and mention that they’re not intended for human use, children recognize it as synthetic marijuana. They also know how to use it or can easily get guidance from friends. Moreover, synthetic marijuana is low-cost, making it accessible to children. By the end of 2015, the price for each package was between $9 and $12.
These marketing approaches have proven effective. In 2014, 1 in 20 high school students admitted to using synthetic marijuana, with boys being more likely to use it than girls. Furthermore, while parents are generally familiar with the scent and appearance of marijuana, they may not be able to identify synthetic marijuana or its packaging if they find it at home or on their children.
2. Drug Tests Might Not Pick It Up
Even though many drug tests have been updated to detect the most common chemicals found in synthetic marijuana, they cannot identify all of the chemicals due to their rapid changes. As a result, it is still possible for individuals to use synthetic marijuana and pass drug tests.
However, synthetic marijuana users should temper their expectations as they are unaware of which chemicals they are consuming or whether a particular drug test will detect them. Some tests are capable of identifying more chemicals than others, as testing panels are continuously updated to keep up with the latest chemical developments.
Drug tests for synthetic marijuana are costly—around $63 per test as of late 2015. Consequently, these tests may be too expensive for routine use. Some organizations only require a comprehensive synthetic drug test if an individual has a history of drug use or is suspected of using synthetic marijuana. These financial limitations allow certain users to avoid detection.
1. Drug Tests Can Detect It
Historically, drug tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, alcohol, and other illegal substances were unable to detect any of the compounds found in synthetic marijuana. This is one reason for synthetic marijuana's popularity, as those who are regularly tested could use the substance without being caught.
These individuals are employed across various fields, including healthcare workers, mental health professionals, military personnel, laborers, and both federal and state employees. This group also encompasses those under the supervision of law enforcement, such as juvenile offenders, individuals on probation or parole, and those involved in substance abuse treatment programs.
In 2013, the US Department of Defense started to revise their drug panels to screen personnel for the most common chemicals found in synthetic marijuana. This initiative has expanded to law enforcement, public health sectors, and occupational drug testing, which may now be able to identify these substances.
