Medical Marijuana's Abundance in L.A. Has its Advantages: Synthetic Weed Linked to Heart Attacks in Teens

By Dennis Romero Wed., Nov. 9 2011 at 7:01 AM

DEA

More synth than Thomas Dolby.

Synthetic marijuana is just a wonder drug.

We previously told you about how it can allegedly cause psychosis, mental chaos and other dark trips.

Now research is suggesting it might also be correlated to heart attacks in teenage users.

What's not to like?

This stuff makes cocaine look like tofu.

Colin Kane, a pediatric cardiologist at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, is linking at least three teen heart attacks to this wonder drug.

The victims were all 16, and all went to hospitals for "chest pain."

All three had smoked real marijuana and the synth kind, in this case the brand K2, within days of the events, the good doctor reported in research published in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Cause and effect? It's not clear yet.

Dr. Anthony Scalzo, chief of toxicology at St. Louis University, tells HealthDay that the synth weed is associated with anxiety, a high heartbeat and increased blood pressure.

Whew. Best stuff since crack.

Luckily the DEA outlawed it, at least temporarily. (And lucky for us all-natural medical marijuana is about as plentiful in L.A. as latte).

But doctor Kane says the fake bud is "still easy to get."

Why?

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com/@LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

heart attacks, K2, marijuana, medical marijuana, Spice, synthetic marijuana, teenagers

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Santa Monica Attorney

All drugs have side effects, be natural or synthetic.Why do people keep on inventing something that will make the lifespan shorter?

Synthetic drugs must be far reached by kids.

Sdragon70

I had the misfortune of trying some of this crap. It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. I totally freaked out in my bathroom for about 30 minutes. Thought I was going to die!!!!!!!! This is some seriously bad shit, and should be illegal.

Michael024

I have had the fortune of trying this "crap" for about 2 years now... I have NEVER had ANY negative side effects. I've never felt like I was going to die. I've never felt "chest pains." I've only ever, in the two years I've smoked it, had good experiences. And I haven't only been using one of them. I've been experimenting and trying new ones.

Michael024

AND to top it off. I just RECENTLY turned 18... so...

ShannieLammie

Why?1) The DEA delayed announced their intention to schedule the chemicals and then delayed for months. Meanwhile they could be ordered with nothing more than a credit card.2) 5 or 6 cannabinoid receptor agonists (chemicals which bear little resemblance to THC, let alone marijuana and are used to make K2/Spice) have been scheduled. Thanks to NIDA, there's plenty more where those came from.

hippieland

All Synthetic drugs have bad side effects . especially the ones that the doctors prescribe.. So keep it natural.

WuzNon98332

That might just be the coolest thing ever dude. I like the sound of that.total-anon.us.tc

Allamony

the FDA, the DEA, and the Federal Government in general has blood all over their hands with this shit.

Legalize harmless Marijuana and this would have never happened.

Their victims must bleed invisible ink though, because they would never admit it.

ZZardozz

Well, I agree with Dennis Romero! K2 is pure garbage. Of course, the garbage wouldn't exist if it weren't for the ridiculous anti-cannabis laws that we are stuck with. And people will probably continue to use K2 because it lets them pass their unconstitutional drug tests. Another problem that would not exist, if it weren't for cannabis prohibition. But, thank God that we have a natural, safe alternative widely available to us in the form of nature's own cannabis plant.

Loudonna2011

Why?? Why did the federal government fund the research that developed this synthetic crap.The chemicals that are used in this"synthetic weed"were developed at Clemson U.with funds from a NIDA grant.That's right, your government prohibits Cannabis,a plant that produces Marijuana,a plant that has been used by humans for thousands of years, and that the governments own commissions say is a benign drug, but sponsors the development of dangerous drugs such as K2,Spice and others.WAKE UP people, the prohibition of Cannabis leads to violent drug cartels, grow Op's in our National forest lands, imprisoning of peaceful citizens who prefer a natural alternative to Alcohol or prescription drugs,AND exposes our Children to dangerous synthetic drugs such as K2,Spice and others.I understand that no parent wants their child to use drugs, but if you have a choice between your child using this synthetic crap our the natural marijuana which one would you choose?? License, and Regulate Cannabis for Adults.

Guest

I would just like to state that the chemical compounds in synthetic weed were created with a good intention and that the companies that make K2 and Spice chose to take this and market it as an alternative to weed. Also, the prohibition of cannabis isn't to blame for kids doing dangerous drugs. Kids will always be looking for news to get high, that's just how it goes. The government isn't exposing kids to this kind of stuff, the companies that make it and the stores that sell it do. You also can't blame it on violent drug cartels because typically they're also dealing with harder drugs like cocaine. I will however agree with you that it does lead to peaceful citizens being imprisoned and that it is a better alternative to synthetics.