Synthetic Cannabis

By Corryn Henry

What does it look like?

What makes it synthetic?

• It is a chemically engineered substance, similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, THC.

• THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive substance present in marijuana.

• The substance looks like marijuana and can give a similar high.

• Most forms of synthetic cannabis are herbs sprayed with chemicals.

Where is it sold?

Synthetic cannabis is sold:•At gas stations•Smoke shops•Websites online •Illegally in states it is banned

Reported Adverse Side Effects

“It left me feeling disoriented and as soon as I lost the head high, I had a headache and was

very tense.”

Brendan Schiering

“I felt like I did cocaine.”

Samantha Dombroski

Popular brands include:

• K2, K3, Spice, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Buzz, Pulse, Hush, Mystery, Earthquake, Ocean Blue, Stinger, Serenity and many others.

“Not for human consumption”

“I feel like it could be a company's way to stay on the legal side because

when you do consume it, its similar to being under the influence of

marijuana.”

Patrick Cann

Affects compared to marijuana:

“It relaxed me and gave me a different high but it didn’t last long. Weed is

obviously more potent and has more of an effect on you.”

Brittany Crain

“As for the feeling it was a bit similar, it shared physical effects such as lowered eyes and a feeling of

relaxedness came into play just as with marijuana consumption.”

Patrick Cann

“The high is a lot like weed. It just doesn’t last as long, maybe like an

hour compared to weed which is like a couple hours.”

Samantha Dombroski

How can it be consumed?

• Joint- a “marijuana cigarette” which is usually rolled by hand with rolling papers

• Blunt- a hollowed out cigar re-rolled with marijuana instead of tobacco.

• Bong- term applied to a pipe with a water filtration system used in smoking bud.

K3 being rolled into a blunt..

Then smoked.

Types of K3

Prices•Prices vary depending on where you buy it.

•Online orders require customers to buy mass quantities.

•Gas stations prices vary from $10-$15 for a gram.

•Prices for 3 gram bags vary from $15-$25.

Future of synthetic cannabis

• It has already been banned in several states and the U.S armed forces.

• It is banned in European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Russia, as well as South Korea

“I realize that there’s no type of synthetic cannabis that is safe.”

Samantha Dombroski