The number of visits to U.S. emergency rooms linked to synthetic pot -- also known as "K2" or "Spice" -- have more than doubled in recent years, U.S. officials reported Thursday and reported by WebMD.com.
"Synthetic cannabinoids are a growing public health risk -- made even more dangerous by the widespread misconception that they are safe and legal," Pamela Hyde, administrator at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), said in an administration news release.
"These injury reports compel us to get the word out to all segments of the community -- especially youth -- that these products can cause significant harm," she added.
Synthethic marijuana has varying amounts of different ingredients, including contaminants that can have unpredictable health effects, the news release said.
Statistics from the report illustrate that point.
- There were more than 28,500 ER visits linked to synthetic pot in 2011, compared to roughly 11,400 in 2010.
- For teens aged 12 to 17, the number of such visits to the ER doubled, from about 3,800 in 2010 to nearly 7,600 in 2011. For those aged 18 to 20, that number quadrupled, from about 2,000 in 2010 to over 8,000 in 2011.
- Males accounted for 79 percent of all visits in 2011. However, the number of visits by females tripled between 2010 and 2011.
Reported health problems caused by synthetic marijuana includeanxiety, severe agitation, nausea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rate and blood pressure, unresponsiveness and even death. Regular use of the drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms, the report said.