The use of synthetic cannabis manufactured as K2 (also known as “spice”) to get “high” is legal under Federal Drug Laws despite the side effects from the use of this product. Some states have mandated laws prohibiting the sales of this product, while in most it remains unregulated and legal. K2 has only been tested on rats, and even though there have been reports of a wide variety of reactions: headaches, seizures, hallucinations, death. K2 also contains JWH-018 which has a chemical structure shared with known cancer-causing agents. Use of the drug is a growing trend among teens and young adults. There is no age requirement in some states, which is making it easy for kids to get their hands on.
Student Researcher: Bonnie Tellez
Faculty Evaluator: Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Indian River State College
Sources:
“Synthetic Marijuana, Getting High on K2 Spice is Leal for Now” Sandra Blake, Suite101.com,6/17/2010 http://www.suite101.com/content/synthetic-marijuana-getting-high-on-k2-spice-is-legal-for-now-a250328
“Synthetic marijuana, K2, Spice, JWH-018 and, you guessed it, dependence,” DrugMonkey
http://scienceblogs.com/drugmonkey/2010/02/synthetic_marijuana_k2_spice_j.php