Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Spice Or Skunk IS A lab-Produced, Mind-Altering Drug Is Dangerous And Can Be Deadly, Say No Gavin Newsom Legalization of Marijuana

Spice, otherwise known as K2, Moon Rocks, or Skunk is a lab-produced, mind-altering drugthat's been soaring in popularity in recent years. 
Giant underground laboratories, many of which are in China, are churning out thousands of pounds of the stuff. This week, the DEA arrested a man whose lab likely produced the chemicals in some 70% of the spice sold in the US, the New York Times reports.
Although it's often marketed as a "safer alternative to traditional marijuana," spice is dangerous and can be deadly.


This is spice. It looks fairly harmless — like herbs in a shiny package — but it isn't.

This is spice. It looks fairly harmless — like herbs in a shiny package — but it isn't.
Wikimedia Commons

Reports suggest that since 2009, drugs like spice, or synthetic marijuana, have killed roughly 1,000 Americans — many of them young people in high school.

Reports suggest that since 2009, drugs like spice, or synthetic marijuana, have killed roughly 1,000 Americans — many of them young people in high school.
VICE/YouTube

The drugmakers change up the specific ingredients in the drugs so fast — and produce them in such massive quantities — that drug enforcement can't keep up.

The drugmakers change up the specific ingredients in the drugs so fast — and produce them in such massive quantities — that drug enforcement can't keep up.
VICE/YouTube

The drugs are created in powdered form in giant underground laboratories like this one. Many of the labs are in China.

The drugs are created in powdered form in giant underground laboratories like this one. Many of the labs are in China.
VICE

Then they are packed up in large bags...

Then they are packed up in large bags...
VICE/YouTube

...and shipped to the US in huge containers labeled "fertilizer" or "industrial solvent."

...and shipped to the US in huge containers labeled "fertilizer" or "industrial solvent."
Flickr/Sergio Russo
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-synthetic-marijuana-2015-5

Here's a small bag of the powdered drug, before it's been liquefied and added to plant material.

Here's a small bag of the powdered drug, before it's been liquefied and added to plant material.
Wikimedia Commons/Psychonaut

There, wholesale buyers purchase the drugs and turn them into liquids by dissolving them in acetone or alcohol.

There, wholesale buyers purchase the drugs and turn them into liquids by dissolving them in acetone or alcohol.
VICE/YouTube

Next, they use the liquid to douse dry plant matter, and package it up in shiny metallic baggies.

Next, they use the liquid to douse dry plant matter, and package it up in shiny metallic baggies.
VICE/YouTube

The stuff inside is then rolled up and smoked.

The stuff inside is then rolled up and smoked.
VICE/YouTube

Often, the drugs are packaged as "plant food" or "potpourri" so they can be legally sold in stores.

Often, the drugs are packaged as "plant food" or "potpourri" so they can be legally sold in stores.
Flickr/Raquel Baranow

The back of these packages often includes the coy warning, "Not intended for human consumption."

The back of these packages often includes the coy warning, "Not intended for human consumption."
Flickr/Raquel Baranow

Regardless, the drugs have continued to soar in popularity.

Regardless, the drugs have continued to soar in popularity.
VICE/YouTube

So far this year, poison centers received reports of 3,548 exposures to synthetic marijuana, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

So far this year, poison centers received reports of 3,548 exposures to synthetic marijuana, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
VICE/YouTube

Many experts say "synthetic marijuana" is a huge misnomer for these drugs, since they produce far different effects and can be up to 100 times more potent than traditional marijuana.

Many experts say "synthetic marijuana" is a huge misnomer for these drugs, since they produce far different effects and can be up to 100 times more potent than traditional marijuana.
VICE/YouTube

For example, the first form of the psychoactive ingredient used in spice was called JWH-018, named for the initials of the scientist John W. Huffman who first invented it in 2008.

For example, the first form of the psychoactive ingredient used in spice was called JWH-018, named for the initials of the scientist John W. Huffman who first invented it in 2008.
VICE/YouTube

Just like with the main psychoactive ingredient in traditional marijuana, THC, the psychoactive ingredients in synthetic marijuana bind to the brain's CB1 receptors. Because spice is so much stronger, however, it is much more likely to cause everything from seizures to psychosis.

Just like with the main psychoactive ingredient in traditional marijuana, THC, the psychoactive ingredients in synthetic marijuana bind to the brain's CB1 receptors. Because spice is so much stronger, however, it is much more likely to cause everything from seizures to psychosis.
VICE/YouTube
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)