Sunrise Detox Op-Ed in the Trenton Times exposes the dangers of imitation marijuana

More alarming is the fact that this synthetic drug — marketed as incense — comes with some dangerous side effects. At Sunrise Detox in Stirling, we have tracked nearly a dozen states that are considering a ban on this alleged incense, commonly referred to as “K2,” a concoction of chemicals that turn herbs into synthetic marijuana.

K2, also known as “Spice,” “Mr. Smiley,” “Genie,” and “Zohai,” is widely available in New Jersey “head shops,” convenience stores and online. Most of it is shipped to the Garden State from Korea and China, where workers spray herbs and spices with a synthetic compound similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Teenagers in New Jersey– or anyone else, for that matter — just need to roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes. It even comes in fruit flavors for those who don’t like the taste of pot or maybe don’t know the difference. Either way, chemicals trick the brain into thinking the body is ingesting authentic cannabis.

Poison centers nationwide have reported 352 cases of people sickened by the substance in 35 states, according USA Today. Patients who have smoked the faux dope have complained of hallucinations, paranoia, severe agitation, elevated heart rates, vomiting, seizures and dangerously high blood pressure.

Dr. Anthony Scalzo, a toxicologist at Saint Louis University, explained that these symptoms are not typical for those who smoke real pot. “They think they’re going to mellow, and that’s not what’s happening,” he told The Associated Press.