While our country continues to be seriously affected with the opiate crisis, you can find another dangerous drug that is falling into the hands in our children at a rapid pace: man made pot. A harmful message is delivered to our younger generation as states pass the legalization of pot, offering it as a safe and harmless drug. The problem worsens when our young people believe man made pot is equivalent to natural pot. They don’t realize nothing could be further from the truth. Young people in the united states are becoming critically ill and dying after using man made pot, even with their first time deploying it.
Man made pot is normally referred to as “Spice” or “K2” and is a mixture of herbs and seasonings. These seasonings have been sprayed with a man made relx compound chemically similar to THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in pot. The chemical compounds typically include HU-210, HU-211, JWH-018, and JWH-073, but there are hundreds more as chemists “tweak” the formula so that they can stay before law. (1)
Users and sellers should be aware of that “tweaking” the chemical make-up of a drug is still illegal. The altered substance may be a new formula, also known as an analogue, but it contains similar chemical compounds to those that are banned and therefore still illegal under the Federal Analogue Act, 21 years of age You. S. C., Section 813. An analogue of a drug is a created variation which is chemically or pharmacologically similar to an original or created formula (another existing analogue. ) A controlled substance analogue will, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated for the purposes of any Federal law, as a controlled substance in schedule I. (2). The majority of states have likewise implemented analogue state laws to combat the abuse and sale of man made drugs, in addition to the existing Federal regulations.
Man made pot is normally purchased in head shops, tobacco shops, gasoline stations, and over the internet. It is often marketed as incense or “fake weed” and the packaging is labeled “Not for Human Consumption. inch The man made pot chemists erroneously believe selling the product as incense or potpourri will protect them from federal justice. Man made pot street names include Paradise, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, Fake Marijuana, Genie, Mojo, Scooby Snax, Liven, Zohai and there are others.
The chemists who produce these man made cannabinoids do so by spraying chemicals on shredded plant and herb material. As a result of the reactions between the chemicals and herb materials, some man made cannabinoids can be up to 100X stronger than natural THC. These chemicals are often not products ever intended for human consumption and undiluted, many would be fatal. The use of these chemicals results in a significant number of dangers and negative side effects including high blood pressure, blurred vision, heart attack, nausea or vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, severe anxiety, paranoia, chaotic behavior and death. (3)
Man made pot is typically sold in a colorful pack containing a dried up green or brown plant material. However, as “vaping” and the use of e-cigarettes utilizing liquid variations of tobacco alternatives increases in popularity, an increase in marketing of liquid forms of man made pot has been noticed. Internet sites sell essential fluids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices, which are other styles of man made pot.
Parents should monitor their children’s behavior and have talks with their children about the dangers of man made drugs. Regardless of the legality issues involving natural and man made pot, the statistics show pot is the most highly mistreated drug among teens and is a gateway drug to addiction of street and prescribed drugs later on, including heroin. Parents and educators should monitor their children when generating any online purchases, or buying items from local small shops. Some stores may keep the man made pot out of view to avoid law enforcement, but still offer to sell it from behind the counter. When experienced, if a child or student possesses a package labeled “Not for Human Consumption”, the substance should be gripped and turned over to the local authorities. The dangers of man made drug use cannot be overstated to children and other potential users.