The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is warning people about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, after six people in northern Illinois who used synthetic cannabinoids suffered severe bleeding. All reported using synthetic cannabinoids, often called fake weed, K2, and spice.
Officials say synthetic cannabinoids are not one drug, but hundreds of different chemicals manufactured and sold. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they act on the same brain cell receptors as the main active ingredient in marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoid products are unsafe. It is difficult to know what is in them or what your reaction to them will be. The health effects from using synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable and harmful—even life threatening.
IDPH continues to investigate these cases to try to identify a common product. Anyone who has a serious reaction to synthetic cannabinoids should call 911 or immediately go to the emergency room at their local hospital.