American Association Of Poison Control Centers: Fake Marijuana Spurs More Than 750 Calls To U.S. Poison Centers This Year Alone

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 27 Jul 2010 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Synthetic marijuana products being sold at gas stations, convenience stores and "head shops" have spurred more than 750 calls to U.S. poison centers this year alone, causing increased concern among doctors and clinicians as well as state lawmakers, who are quickly moving to outlaw such products.

Synthetic marijuana, marketed under product names including "Spice," "K2," "Genie," "Yucatan Fire," "Sence," "Smoke," "Skunk," and "Zohai," has spurred callers to poison centers from 46 states and the District of Columbia. As of July 23, 2010, poison centers reported 761 calls about the products, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS).

"These products present a health risk that is not worth it for consumers," said Missouri Poison Center Medical Director Anthony J. Scalzo, MD, who first noticed increased calls about these products to his center last fall. "The products are meant to create a similar reaction to marijuana, but in fact, patients often report the opposite - a fast, racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and nausea."

These products are typically marketed as incense or potpourri and have been sold since 2006 for about $30 to $40 per three-gram bag. Scalzo said parents should be on the lookout for what looks like incense in their child's room and watch to see if their children seem more anxious than usual.

"Statistics from NPDS show that this is an emerging phenomenon," said Alvin C. Bronstein, MD, acting director of toxicosurveillance for the American Association of Poison Control Centers. "The symptoms can be life-threatening."

Health concerns related to these products have caused states to crack down: On Tuesday, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy voted to ban the sale of such products. At least nine other states have also banned or outlawed these products, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Jim Hirt, executive director of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, said those with questions about synthetic marijuana should call their local poison center.

"Poison centers are staffed with medical professionals who are trained to know how to treat a poison exposure, including an exposure to synthetic marijuana," he said. "Poison centers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer questions about any substance that could be harmful to your health."

Source:
American Association of Poison Control Centers

• Additional
• References
• Citations