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  3. Drug Trend: Synthetic Marijuana

Drug Trend: Synthetic Marijuana

Last Updated: Tuesday November 23, 2021


spice

Using synthetic marijuana, also known as Spice or K2, is very dangerous.

A national survey shows that  3.7 percent of 12th graders used synthetic marijuana in the past year, compared to 3.5% in 2016. (University of Michigan, 2017 Monitoring The Future Survey)

What is Spice or K2? 

It is a mixture of plant material that is sprayed with a synthetic compound, similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Street Names

 K2, Bliss, Fake Weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, Genie, and others.

Why is Spice illegal? 

It is illegal to sell, buy, or possess Spice. DEA banned 18 active chemicals in Spice because they have a high potential to be abused and have no medical benefit.

What are the effects of Spice?

Psychological effects include paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations and giddiness. Physical effects include increase in heart rate and blood pressure, convulsions, organ damage or death. Regular users may experience withdrawal and addiction problems.

DID YOU KNOW? Teens wrongly believe that Spice is a “natural” product and, therefore, harmless. Drug tests do not easily detect the chemicals found in Spice.

Read more about Spice. 

 

 

 

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