Palm Coast City Palm Coast City Council WorkshopCouncil Workshop

September 11, 2012September 11, 2012

Presentation on Synthetic Presentation on Synthetic MarijuanaMarijuana

Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana Definition: Definition:

A psychoactive designer drug A psychoactive designer drug derived of natural herbs - derived of natural herbs - sprayed with synthetic sprayed with synthetic chemicals - that when chemicals - that when consumed, allegedly mimic consumed, allegedly mimic the pleasurable effects of the pleasurable effects of marijuana.marijuana.

Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns 800 times stronger than marijuana.800 times stronger than marijuana. 6 weeks to 6 months to recover - 6 weeks to 6 months to recover -

the brain receptors are rewired the brain receptors are rewired because the chemicals in the because the chemicals in the product bond to fatty tissue in the product bond to fatty tissue in the brain.brain.

POISON CONTROL CONTACTS HAVEPOISON CONTROL CONTACTS HAVEDOUBLED IN THE LAST YEARDOUBLED IN THE LAST YEAR

And There’s More…..And There’s More….. Each packet is different because Each packet is different because

there’s no standard.there’s no standard.

Since there’s no way to know, Since there’s no way to know, users are turning themselves into users are turning themselves into science experiments.science experiments.

Health issues to date: vomiting, Health issues to date: vomiting, agitation, fast heart beat, elevated agitation, fast heart beat, elevated blood pressure, seizures, blood pressure, seizures, hallucinations, psychotic episodes.hallucinations, psychotic episodes.

INCENSE! NONSENSE!INCENSE! NONSENSE! Found in local gas stations, convenience Found in local gas stations, convenience

stores, tobacco shops.stores, tobacco shops. Comes in one and three gram packs.Comes in one and three gram packs. ListedListed ingredients seem to be harmless ingredients seem to be harmless

blends of common plants. But there are blends of common plants. But there are unlisted unlisted chemical ingredients:chemical ingredients:

- tricks your brain into thinking it’s - tricks your brain into thinking it’s THC, the active ingredient in marijuanaTHC, the active ingredient in marijuana

- HU-210 [illegal and does show up - HU-210 [illegal and does show up on drug tests]on drug tests]

Very Clever…….Very Clever…….

Common Names include: K-2, Common Names include: K-2, Cool Beanz, Mr. Happy, Mad Cool Beanz, Mr. Happy, Mad Hatter, SpiceHatter, Spice

Legal issue is avoided by Legal issue is avoided by stating “Not for Human stating “Not for Human Consumption”Consumption”

Confusing user with legal high Confusing user with legal high meaning safe highmeaning safe high

What Can It Do?What Can It Do?

Chemical testing revealed untested Chemical testing revealed untested chemicals with unknown poisons, chemicals with unknown poisons, addiction potential, long-term effects addiction potential, long-term effects and allergic reactions.and allergic reactions.

Effects can occur days or weeks later.Effects can occur days or weeks later. Inhaling burning plant matter = Inhaling burning plant matter =

taking in carbon monoxide. That’s taking in carbon monoxide. That’s the same “stuff” that makes car the same “stuff” that makes car exhaust poisonous. It stops the exhaust poisonous. It stops the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Some Incidences…..Some Incidences…..

Rebecca Cardwell [18] – took a dose Rebecca Cardwell [18] – took a dose of a legal high and within hours of a legal high and within hours collapsed and three days later died collapsed and three days later died of liver failure. of liver failure.

Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith [19] – took some legal substance for [19] – took some legal substance for a fun night out. Both men collapsed a fun night out. Both men collapsed and died shortly thereafter.and died shortly thereafter.

- Brevard County: Teen under the influence of synthetic cannabis called 911 numerous times to report bad dreams. Later arrested for misuse of 911.

- St. John’s County: reported cases of excited delirium, 8 high school students hospitalized:

One broke his own arm while handcuffed

Another dislocated own shoulder while handcuffed

A student jumped from a moving ambulance

Now’s the time to take action. Let’s be proactive

and not reactive. Let’s make a preemptive strike before

this becomes an epidemic in our community.

Information presented was provided by: Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement CoalitionAnd other verbal information presented at summer trainings [Florida Association For School Resource Officers]

Thank you for your attention to a most serious

problem!