Transcript SPICE” aka K2, Black Mamba, Pep Spice, Blaze, Red X

“SPICE”
aka K2, Black Mamba, Pep Spice, Blaze, Red X
Presented by:
Synthetic Marijuana
“Spice” consists of plant materials that
have been coated with chemicals that
mimic THC, the active ingredient in
marijuana.
It is legally sold in AZ.
Marketed as incense
It is sold as incense and
marked “not for human
consumption.”
The average cost of
$30.00 a gram is
more expensive than marijuana.
More potent than marijuana
Depending on the synthetic compounds
in a specific brand, it can be anywhere
from 4 times to over 100 times more
potent than regular marijuana.
120
100
80
Series1
60
40
20
0
1
1x
2
4x
3
100x
Serious Health Risks:
Hallucinations, paranoia
Seizures, tremors
Coma, unconsciousness
Vomiting, nausea
Numbness, tingling
Increased respiration rate
Elevated blood pressure
(up to 200/100-medically dangerous)
Elevated heart rate
(up to rate of 150 beats per minute-dangerous)
Anxiety/agitation, panic attacks, possible suicide
Reports nationwide:
 Linked to over 352 nationwide emergency
room incidents-includes suicide attempts,
extremely elevated heart rate/blood
pressure, comas, seizures, and anxiety
attacks.
 Police in Indianola, Iowa report an 18 year
old smoking K2 and experiencing a severe
anxiety attack-stated he was “going to
hell.” He subsequently went home and
killed himself.
 K2/Spice is labeled by users as the
“stealth” marijuana.
Is Spice/K2 legal?
Yes.
It can be sold to anyone, even a 10-year
old.
It is sold at convenience stores, tobacco
shops and online.
DEA Takes Action to Make Synthetic
Marijuana Illegal
on November 24, 2010
The DEA has notified the public of its intent to
temporarily control five synthetic cannabinoid
chemicals found in so-called “fake pot” products
such as K2 and Spice. Since 2009, the DEA has
received reports of serious adverse events and
hospitalizations occurring in people using these
products. The action will make the possession
or sale of these chemicals illegal for at least a
year while the DEA and the Department of
Health and Human Services study these
chemicals and products.
From the DEA Administrator
on November 24, 2010
“The American public looks to the DEA to
protect its children and communities from those
who would exploit them for their own gain,” said
DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart.
“Makers of these harmful products mislead
their customers into thinking that ‘fake pot’ is a
harmless alternative to illegal drugs, but that is
not the case. Today’s action will call further
attention to the risks of ingesting unknown
compounds and will hopefully take away any
incentive to try these products.”
Actual online advertisement
intended to lure and mislead
“It’s time to get high with the new k2 drug! K2
Summit is our most popular K2 Drug blend. Best
of all k2 drug doesn’t show up in a drug test. So
if you are on probation or get drug tested for
sports this is for you. We took parts of all our
other herbal blends and produced this. Our K2
drug specialist worked long hours on what we
think is the perfect herbal blend for you. And
we definitely know we got it right. Our
comments and response so far for the K2
Summit blend has been unbelievable. If you
have tried or have been thinking about trying
some K2 Drug Incense this is the best place to
start.”
Marked:
Not for Human Consumption
According to Dr. Marilyn Huestis, Chief of
Chemistry and Drug Metabolism at the
National Institute for Drug Abuse,
“Taking these drugs is hijacking the part
of the brain important for many major
functions: temperature control, food
intake, perception, memory and problem
solving.” webmed.com
Prescott Newspaper Report
Daily Courier November 8, 2010

“In late October, a 15-year-old boy who allegedly
smoked Spice and drank alcohol in Prescott was
found unconscious on a sidewalk…In July, two men
and a teenager were taken to Yavapai Regional
Medical Center West after they became combative
and experienced hallucinations after smoking
Spice…Officers noticed both men had extremely
heavy body tremors, resting heart rates of over 140
beats per minute, and showed signs of paranoia.
One man was hallucinating…the teen became
combative, lost and regained consciousness…”
Developed for research
Never tested on humans
Spice/K2 was developed by Dr. John
W. Huffman, a Clemson University
professor, as research for the
National Institute for Drug Abuse
(NIDA) on endogenous cannabinoid
receptors. It was never tested on
humans nor approved by the FDA.
webmed.com
What is the risk?
Dr. Huffman said in an interview with
WebMD, “It is like Russian roulette to use
these drugs. We don’t know a darn thing
about them for real. It shouldn’t be out
there.” webmed.com
Take action
Things to do:
1. Watch for signs of use - smoking
paraphernalia like pipes, foil packets or
herbal residue.
2. Tell your kids - or anyone - that Spice
and K2 are very dangerous.
Take action
Help create change:
Contact your state Senator or
Representative at
800-352-8404
Ask them to make Spice/K2
illegal in AZ
Thank You
from