The number of people with severe synthetic weed-related illness keeps rising. Hospitals are reporting more and more cases of serious bleeding, seizures, hallucinations and violent behavior—all due to synthetic cannabis. As of this week, the threat of dangerous synthetic cannabis has spread to five states, including Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Maryland.
Over 100 People In Illinois Have Suffered Severe Synthetic Marijuana-Induced Bleeding
Synthetic cannabis goes by many names, K2 and Spice being two of the most common. The most important thing to know about synthetic cannabis is that it isn’t cannabis at all. It’s made of chemicals that bind to the body’s cannabinoid receptors, but they aren’t cannabinoids.
This means that it can produce all sorts of dangerous health effects, including massive amounts of bleeding. Some synthetic cannabis even contains rat poison.
The threat of dangerous synthetic cannabis has spread to five states, hitting hardest in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are 107 instances of synthetic marijuana-induced bleeding to date. Though doctors are attending to all these patients, they can’t always offer medical assistance fast enough.
Dr. Michelle Alepra of St. John’s Hospital explained to News Channel 20 that the consequences of ingesting synthetic marijuana are complicated and scary.
“We see a lot of acute psychosis,” Dr. Alepra said, “a lot of psychiatric issues from the K-2, a lot of agitation and physical problems or traumatic problems that occur from that. Also, things like renal failure, kidney failure, and this with the bleeding are the biggest issues.”
Synthetic weed is psychologically and physically dangerous and can be deadly. So far, three people in Illinois have died from consuming synthetic cannabinoids. Hospitals have admitted dozens experiencing these symptoms, and expect more.