The K2 Craze

There’s a new drug craze that is sweeping through the DFW Metroplex, and despite claims stating the contrary, "K2" and other herbal marijuana substitutes are dangerous and often yield serious side effects such as an increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic episodes, and death. These “legal highs,” as users call them, are marketed as smokable, dried herbal blends that reportedly produce similar effects to marijuana. However, manufacturers caution users that K2 and similar products are “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" and are "…a novelty herbal incense which includes natural and synthetic ingredients." But, marketers and other profiteers say, “Sure, go ahead and smoke it.” And, why wouldn’t they? They are, after all, looking to make money! But, it’s this improper use of smokable herbal blends that pose a tremendous health risk, and they have been linked directly to a number of deaths, including that of a Kansas teen who committed suicide last month from paranoia associated with herbal blend usage. And, just this week, 19-year-old Dominique Darrell “Deezy” Tate of Dallas likely died from toxic exposure to K2.

Marketers and proponents of these “marijuana alternatives” fail to inform the public about the potency of the synthetic cannaboid chemicals added to their herbal blends and the potential contaminants their product may contain. But, that’s why I write this blog, to inform the community of potential health risks! One of the most popular herbal blends, K2, has been found on occasion to contain at least three internationally banned substances which are 100 - 800 times more potent than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the known psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In addition to its increased potency, K2 and similar products are produced in China and other countries that don’t adhere to the strict guidelines of the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The lack of regulatory control raises serious concerns about the quality and safety of any product, let alone one that the pre-teens, teens, and adults of our community may be inhaling.

The FDA and numerous health organizations note that K2 poses enough of a health risk from its potential side effects and lack of quality control that its chemical compounds have been outlawed in Britain, Germany, Poland, France, South Korea, Russia, a growing number of states in the U.S., and, most recently, cities in the DFW Metroplex, including McKinney, Allen, and Plano. But, let's face facts. Any time you consume an uncontrolled or unregulated drug or a drug with unknown effects, you are taking a risk. Products like these smokable herbal blends are not made in safe, regulated settings, and those who use it literally are playing games with their life. So parents, teachers, health care workers, concerned citizens, EVERYONE reading this, PLEASE take the time to talk to your friends and your family about the dangers of herbal blends like K2 before it’s too late.

 - Robb Huhn, manager of the emergency department

Resources:
Fay, C. (2010). ‘K2’ poses danger and should be illegal. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/02/fay.ban.k2/index.html 


Rothschild, S. (2010). Committee approves making K2 chemicals illegal: Committee endorses measure to outlaw high-inducing mixture. Retrieved from: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jan/13/committee-approves-making-k2chemicals-illegal/?more_like_this


St. James, J. (2010). Dallas teen’s death could be linked to K2 usage. Retrieved from: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/North-Texas-teens-death-linked-to-K2-use-100386899.html