Parents Beware of Synthetic Marijuana Potpourri

According to an ABC News report, an increasing number of teens and young adults are turning to synthetic marijuana compounds with nicknames such as "K2," "Spice," and in this case, Dank and Crazy Monkey.  More and more teens and young adults who use these substances are turning up in hospitals.  These compounds are banned in almost every state, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently extended a ban on some of the chemicals used to produce these substances.  They are relatively new, and clinicians don't always immediately realize what's going on with people who come to emergency rooms after smoking them. The compounds are dangerous and  do not show up in routine drug screenings.  According to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were over 6900 calls related to adverse effects associated with synthetic marijuana compounds in 2011.  Parents in Wilkes and all across the country need to be aware of this new drug of choice which is often labeled as potpourri.