What is synthetic marijuana?

Synthetic marijuana is made of dried plant material that is treated with chemicals that produce effects like marijuana's effects. It is sold in the form of incense under many names, such as K2 or Spice. The labels often claim that these products are "safe" or "natural." But in fact, the active chemicals are created in a lab. And they have not been tested for safety.

But young people often try these products because they are easy to buy and they may not be detected by drug tests.

People think that using these drugs will make them feel the same as when they use marijuana. But these drugs can be stronger than marijuana. And the effects are hard to predict. That's because the type and strength of the chemicals used are often unknown. Some people have reported severe symptoms, such as:

• Fast heart rate and high blood pressure.
• Vomiting.
• Feeling agitated or confused.
• Feeling like others want to harm them (paranoia), or seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations).

Synthetic marijuana is made of dried plant material that is treated with chemicals that produce effects like marijuana's effects. It's sold in the form of incense under many names, such as K2 or Spice.

The labels often claim that these products are "safe" or "natural." But in fact, the active chemicals are created in a lab. They could be dangerous.

Young people often try these products because they are easy to buy and may not be detected by drug tests.

People think that using synthetic marijuana will make them feel the same as when they use marijuana. But these drugs are different from marijuana. And the effects are hard to predict. That's because the type and strength of the chemicals used are often unknown.

Some people have reported severe symptoms, such as:

• Fast heart rate and high blood pressure.
• Vomiting.
• Feeling agitated or confused.
• Feeling like others want to harm them (paranoia), or seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations).