U.S. Hospitals Seeing Spike In Synthetic Marijuana Overdoses

Hospitals around the country are seeing a severe spike in synthetic marijuana overdoses. Now health officials are issuing a warning.

Monday, April 27th 2015, 9:33 am

By: News 9


Hospitals around the country are seeing a severe spike in synthetic marijuana overdoses. Now health officials are issuing a warning.

Synthetic marijuana goes by many names: "Spice," "K-2," "head trip," "fake weed." It's a plant material coated with THC, the active chemical compound in marijuana. But it is much more potent and can be deadly.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers said more than 1,900 calls related to synthetic pot have been made since the start of the year. That is four times more than there were at this point last year.

Officials said it's possible seven deaths were linked to synthetic marijuana. Six states, including our neighbor Texas, has reported an increase.

Just last week here in the metro, police said a Mid-Del school bus driver was high when he hit at least five cars before hitting a bridge. Officers found the K-2 drug in the bus driver's pocket. At least two other drivers were injured.

4/22/2015 Related Story: Synthetic Marijuana and Pipe Found On Mid-Del School Bus Driver After Crash

Oklahoma has a ban on specific formulas of synthetic marijuana. The products often carry a "not for human consumption" label in order to disguise the true purpose of the substance.

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