PSA - K2/Spice/other smokeable herbal blends...

[toxigal]

There are new drugs out there that parents should be aware of. they are synthetic cannabinoids, compounds that act at the same receptor as Delta-9 THC and have similar affects. some of them are much more potent than Delta-9 THC and there have been some hospitalizations associated with them. They've been all over the press form the midwest for quite a few months now and many states have banned certain compounds. They hadn't gotten much news in PA but since school has started back up we have been getting many more inquiries at my job. The hypothesis is that kids are back at school and talking about the newest way to get high and excited about it because it's currently legal in PA.

Basically "spice" and "k2" are "brand names" of herbal incense that has been laced with one or more of these synthetic cannabinoids. they can be bought easily on the internet and found at head shops. like i said, the drug itself works at one of the same receptors in the brain as the compounds in cannabis, however there may be more likelihood of negative effects due ot the higher potency and lack of activity at a second receptor.

Cannabis has compounds that work at CB1 (makes you high) and CB2 (immune system, increase appetite, decreased nausea). These synthetic compounds generally are specific to CB1. Since they don't act at CB2 you see more negative side affects.

anywho..parents of teens may want to have a chat with the kids about it. my one colleague asked his son if the kids are talking about it and his son said no, but that it was mentioned in his health class. score one for education!

[xanthus]

Kids don't have to go online or to head shops. Local convenience stores and gas stations are selling this stuff. Synthetic marijuana is now the second most abused drug by American teens. Remarkable, since the stuff has been available in the U.S. for only a few years.