Why Synthetic Marijuana Is More Dangerous Than the Real Thing

Why Synthetic Marijuana Is More Dangerous Than the Real Thing

Synthetic marijuana, or "fake" pot, is nothing like the real thing. It's legal, and easily accessible to kids. It's also a bigger threat to kids' health. "Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for hundreds of years," said Dr. Jeff Lapoint, a senior toxicology fellow at New York University, Bellevue Hospital. "It's been abused, but no one really gets sick." "Kids need to know that this substance is more dangerous," Lapoint said. Popularly called K2, or Spice, synthetic marijuana is a chemical similar to cannabis that gives a marijuana-like high. But there have been an increasing number of cases of people experiencing seizures, heart palpitations, fever, dehydration and some psychotic episodes after using the drug.