Photo from the National Drug-Free Work Alliance.
At least two people are dead and many more are facing disturbing symptoms linked to the use of synthetic cannabinoids purchased mostly in and around Chicago, Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), contaminated cannabinoid products - some of which have tested positive for rat poison - have caused symptoms to users including blood in the urine, bloody nose, bleeding gums, and coughing up blood.
These products, which are often readily available online or in convenience stores, are sometimes called "fake weed" or "synthetic marijuana" and are marketed as "legal highs" that are supposedly safe, legal alternatives to marijuana. But these products, which go by names such as K2, Spice, and Black Mamba, are anything but safe. Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are often packaged as "herbal incense." Drug manufacturers spray dried plant matter (usually damiana leaf or mugwort) with chemicals that are similar to those found in the marijuana plant. Other "incenses" are sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices.
LegitScript has seen an increase in the sales of designer drugs, including herbal incense and bath salts. Herbal incense products may target younger demographics because they are usually packaged in colorful foil packets, adorned with bright colors and cartoon characters. Because the chemicals used in these products can vary greatly in type and quantity, they pose a substantial risk to consumers. IDPH recommends that anyone who has purchased synthetic cannabinoids in the past month discard the product and call 911 if they have experienced bleeding or other symptoms.
These products are not the "legal" highs they claim to be. They are psychoactive substances that the FDA has been taking action against. In addition to the public health risk these vendors pose, payment providers who onboard merchants selling synthetic cannabinoids are at risk for BRAM and GBPP fines.
Want to learn more about designer drugs such as herbal incense and bath salts? Download our free guide today to better understand this important topic.
