The Risks of Synthetic Marijuana

Members of the medical marijuana community are often focused on those laws and regulations that directly affect the drug, or it's medicinal uses. Many patients, however, are currently being distracted from legitimate medicine because of the introduction of synthetic marijuana substitutes.

Synthetic marijuana looks a lot like the real thing, and it will even get you high. The high is nothing like that caused by actual marijuana, though, and the real effects are currently under examination.

Often marketed as potpourri or herbal incense, synthetic marijuana has been said to mimic the effects of THC, but many are now saying otherwise. Charlene Shephard, a drug and alcohol counselor, for example, recommends that people stay away from this concoction.

Synthetic marijuana, which is not naturally grown, but is instead created in a laboratory, has been proven to cause seizures, tremors, hallucinations, convulsions, and paranoia. It is also linked to high blood pressure, in direct contrast to legitimate marijuana, which tends to lower blood pressure. One man's death has even been thought to be the result of this synthetic substance.

While some of these side effects can be caused by the actual plant, it is extremely, extremely rare. According to Shephard, marijuana smokers do not typically become psychotic, while synthetic marijuana users do.

Statements like this are energizing those in the pro-marijuana movement, who believe that prohibition is the reason dangerous substances like this are being introduced onto the market. The illegality of marijuana, in effect, has led people to use a much more dangerous alternative.

Authorities are now considering banning the synthetic drug, but they are ignoring the underlying issue of marijuana legalization. They don't yet understand that prohibition of the drug is far more damaging to society than the drug itself, but with stories like this flying around, they can't ignore it for much longer.