One state is sick and tired of synthetic marijuana, and now it's taking action. Louisiana has banned the sale and use of eight compounds marketed as synthetic marijuana in order to curb the tide of patients who have wound up in hospitals after dangerous reactions to toxins, according to Reuters.
In just the past two weeks, hospitals near Baton Rouge have treated at least 100 people suffering from synthetic marijuana overdoses, according to The Advocate. This large spike in overdoses is what has prompted the state's Department of Health and Hospital's secretary to sign an "emergency rule" banning the eight compounds.
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, synthetic marijuana can be both dangerous and addictive. According to Arkalatex, health risks can include severe agitation, racing heart and elevated blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, muscle spasms and seizures, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.
"These are untested chemical concoctions that attempt to mimic marijuana without any consideration for the effects these chemicals may have on the human body," said law enforcement officials in Louisiana in a statement, according to Reuters.
It's important to note that substances marketed as synthetic marijuana aren't like real marijuana. The synthetic marijuana usually consists of various herbs sprayed with synthetic compounds that aim at mimicking the effects of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, according to The Advocate. Because these compounds can be largely untested, they can have serious health effects for the individual using them. Usually, synthetic marijuana is marketed as potpourri or fragrance, and can be obtained over the Internet or even in gas stations.
According to Reuters, this fake marijuana is the second most abused illegal substance by high school seniors. Since this ban is put into effect, though, Louisiana may see fewer cases of overdoses in the future--or perhaps at least see fewer people in the hospital.
