For paranoid potheads a legal alternative to marijuana can be appealing, but a recent study has shown that faux weed poses the same danger as the street product.
K2, also known as "fake marijuana," is a mixture of herbal and spice plant products that is sprayed with a potent psychotropic drug, and, according to Scalzo, contaminated with a toxic substance. The toxic substance JWH 018, a synthetic man-made drug that is similar to cannabis, may be responsible for the hallucinations.
Anthony Scalzo, professor of toxicology at Saint Louis University, has studied over 30 cases this past month on teenagers and their inhaled consumption of K2. According to ScienceDaily.com, Scalzo observed side effects that included hallucinations, agitation and increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as tremors and vomiting.
While the drug is reported to be natural and safe because it is legal, Scalzo's study states otherwise.
According to ScienceDaily.com, Scalzo stated, "K2 use is not limited to the Midwest; reports of its use are cropping up all over the country. I think K2 is likely a bigger problem than we're aware of at this time."
While Tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive substance and main ingredient found in marijuana, is not present in K2, K2 provides the smoker with a marijuana-like high and is preferred over "traditional" marijuana for its ability to camouflage its symptoms.
WebMD, a popular online source for health information, reported that K2 and other legal "herbal incense" products that are "spiked" with drugs do not show up in medical drug tests.
JWH-018 works on the brain in the same way as THC. According to LiveScience.com, health and technology, the compounds found in K2 bind to the neural receptors in the central nervous system, that are affected by cannabinoids. The compounds also bind to the peripheral brain receptors, which affect the bodily immune system.
Other side effects of K2 include pale appearance, anxiety and confusion. The drug is known to increase cardiovascular issues due to its high potency and pose life-threatening problems to other areas of the body.
According to WebMD.com, K2 began its appearance in 2004, becoming prominent on the Internet and head shops in Europe. By 2008, the drug grew in sales throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
ScienceDaily.com reported that the "fake weed" sells for $30 to $40 per 3-gram bag and is comparable in cost to marijuana. Legislators in some states like Missouri are proposing to ban K2.
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