Palm Coast City Council Workshop September 11 2012

Palm Coast City Council Workshop September 11, 2012 Presentation on Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic Marijuana n Definition: A psychoactive designer drug derived of natural herbs - sprayed with synthetic chemicals - that when consumed, allegedly mimic the pleasurable effects of marijuana.

Safety Concerns 800 times stronger than marijuana. ü 6 weeks to 6 months to recover - the brain receptors are rewired because the chemicals in the product bond to fatty tissue in the brain. ü POISON CONTROL CONTACTS HAVE DOUBLED IN THE LAST YEAR

And There’s More…. . n n n Each packet is different because there’s no standard. Since there’s no way to know, users are turning themselves into science experiments. Health issues to date: vomiting, agitation, fast heart beat, elevated blood pressure, seizures, hallucinations, psychotic episodes.

INCENSE! NONSENSE! n n n Found in local gas stations, convenience stores, tobacco shops. Comes in one and three gram packs. Listed ingredients seem to be harmless blends of common plants. But there are unlisted chemical ingredients: - tricks your brain into thinking it’s THC, the active ingredient in marijuana - HU-210 [illegal and does show up on drug tests]

Very Clever……. n Common Names include: K-2, Cool Beanz, Mr. Happy, Mad Hatter, Spice n Legal issue is avoided by stating “Not for Human Consumption” n Confusing user with legal high meaning safe high

What Can It Do? n n n Chemical testing revealed untested chemicals with unknown poisons, addiction potential, long-term effects and allergic reactions. Effects can occur days or weeks later. Inhaling burning plant matter = taking in carbon monoxide. That’s the same “stuff” that makes car exhaust poisonous. It stops the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Some Incidences…. . n n Rebecca Cardwell [18] – took a dose of a legal high and within hours collapsed and three days later died of liver failure. Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith [19] – took some legal substance for a fun night out. Both men collapsed and died shortly thereafter.

- Brevard County: Teen under the influence of synthetic cannabis called 911 numerous times to report bad dreams. Later arrested for misuse of 911. - St. John’s County: reported cases of excited delirium, 8 high school students hospitalized: Ø One broke his own arm while handcuffed Ø Another dislocated own shoulder while handcuffed Ø A student jumped from a moving ambulance

Now’s the time to take action. Let’s be proactive and not reactive. Let’s make a preemptive strike before this becomes an epidemic in our community.

Thank you for your attention to a most serious problem! Information presented was provided by: Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement Coalition And other verbal information presented at summer trainings [Florida Association For School Resource Officers]