A growing number of illnesses and deaths tied to synthetic marijuana, as well as other chemical-based substitutes for traditional illegal drugs, are igniting discussion of the need to legalize marijuana and putting a big spotlight on the dangers of chemical-based drugs that are gaining in popularity for several reasons.
As Tech Times has reported hundreds of people are being treated in emergency rooms nationwide after using synthetic drugs such as Spice, which is a marijuana substitute. Health officials in Mobile, Alabama, for example, are reporting 200 hospital visits in April alone due to the effects of Spice. At least one death, of a 60-year-old male, is being attributed to ingestion of Spice.
"The public must understand the overwhelming danger associated with spice and other poisonous substances like it. It's causing people to become seriously ill, including creating potential kidney damage in some," said [pdf] Dr. Bernard Eichold, a health officer for Mobile County.
The synthetic drugs are increasing in popularity for several reasons. Drug users are seeking a better high experience and alternatives to drugs like plant-based pot, the alternative drugs being made and sold by dealers in the U.S. are making for a faster drug business and the street-made drugs are not on par with a commercial cannabinoid from overseas, according to law enforcement officials.
While the homemade synthetic drug Spice produces some euphoria, much like organic marijuana, it's literally made from a chemical mix and that's where the health dangers lie. The side effects range from confusion to hallucinations, unhealthy heart rates and nausea.
Stemming synthetic drug sales is getting tough, say police, as the drugs are being sold in clear baggies with no names or markings.
More than a few Tech Times readers believe the quickest way to stem Spice use, and the resulting health dangers, is to legalize marijuana.
Reader "Kenny Loc" believes the illegal aspect of drugs is the main reason dangerous drugs like Spice are popping up and gaining in popularity.
"Legalize it and stop messing with people's lives. Allow humans legal access to nature's natural healer and things will get better," writes Loc.
"I have been around long enough to see how prohibition has created a market for synthetic drugs that are cheap and readily available to teens who would normally be criminalized for smoking some marijuana. Shame on us for allowing the government's drug war to take its toll on our children in this manner."
Loc's opinion is echoed by many other Tech Times readers, including Michael Goolsby who expressed his view that comparing Spice to traditional marijuana is not accurate.
"Legalize the real stuff, for godsake. It's safer for humans than Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We, as a society, are absolute morons for criminalizing the personal consumption of one of nature's most useful plants," writes Goolsby.
"And no, spice is NOT like marijuana. Not one bit. It should not be called 'synthetic marijuana,' and does not have ANY of the legitimate plant in it. Rather, it consists of dangerous chemicals that are always being changed as any one formula is found to be unsafe and banned; the chemists simply come up with something new until it's banned again. The 'herbs' are merely a catalyst, allowing it to be consumed through smoking, even though the herbs themselves have no psychoactive effect."
And therein, say medical officials, lies the real danger with substitute drugs such as Spice, as it and other artificial forms of marijuana can result in withdrawal symptoms and death.
Spice, which is also called K2, is often a mix of plant materials and chemicals, as Tech Times has reported. The issue is that the chemical aspect is becoming more dangerous as creators are experimenting in an effort to create a wanted commodity.
Instead the concoctions are sending more and more users into emergency rooms as the drug mixes are causing violent behavior, delusions and extreme anxiety. One synthetic drug is even causing irritation in the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
"There's a large amount of use going on. When one of these new ingredients-something that's more potent and gives a bigger high-is released and gets into distribution, it can cause these more extreme effects," states Mark Ryan, director of the Louisiana Poison Center.
