It’s the legal form of marijuana, except it’s Mary Jane’s synthetic counterpart, also known as K2. According to recent reports, demand for K2 is soaring across the country but a handful of lawmakers are particularly concerned about the drug’s powerful and disturbing effects and are attempting to get the drug banned. The lawmakers’ concerns aren’t unfounded either, at least that’s according to Dr. Gaylor Lopez at the Georgia Poison Center, who states that K2 can be up to 15 times more powerful than marijuana and can lead to a wide range of strange symptoms.
K2, which also goes by other names including genie or spice, is packaged in brightly colored bags and appears harmless. Despite the side effects that Dr. Lopez has witnessed, from tremors to more severe seizures, the synthetic drug is still legal in 44 states. The six states that already banned the drug are Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Missouri while Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and New York are also considering bans.
Unfortunately, K2 is very easy to obtain since it is available at many so-called “head shops”, as well as on the Internet or through magazines. The drug is also not detectable by a test, either. Jason Schmider used to be a K2 fanatic; in fact, when asked about K2 he stated: “It’s like a dream come true for an addict”. However, Jason’s love affair with K2 came to an end after he tried the drug over 50 times and then wound up in the hospital. Jason found himself at a rehab center outside of New York City, vowing that he would never use K2 again. Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration is trying to learn what’s actually in the drug itself. Because of the quickly spreading reputation of K2 as a powerful and legal way to get high, stories like Jason’s are getting drowned out.
recently named in the 2009 edition of Best Lawyer's In America, David Mittleman has been representing seriously injured people since 1985. A partner with Church Wyble PC—a division of Grewal Law PLLC—Mr. Mittleman and his partners focus on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, slip and falls, nursing home injury, pharmacy/pharmacist negligence and disability claims.
3 Comments
Jeff
K2 does not need to be BANNED. It needs to be regulated.
People are fine with keeping tobacco and alcohol legal – two drugs that kill more people each year than all the others combined - yet lawmakers want to ban K2.
I dont smoke cigarettes, but does it not say on the box that they cause cancer and can kill you? We know what a drunk driver and out of control raging drunk can do, and we know what alcohol does to the liver.
How many people have gotten drunk grabbed a gun and shot them selves in the head?Way too many – I used to be a police officer and have seen it.
K2 is not the problem people are making it out to be.
Senators and House Reps in states without a ban see it as an easy way to attach their name to something to further their career. They take the credit for “discovering” the K2 “problem” in their town or state.
Then they go home, have a cocktail, smoke a cigarette, pop a prescription sleeping pill, pat themselves on the back for saving us, and pass out.
Either that or the look for sex in airport bathrooms, visit hookers, smoke crack, cheat on their husbands and wives, and then call it a day!
Dale Konkle
To whom ever this may concern,
I dont know what the big deal is about this k2 so called drug. They just need to regulate the k2 subtance. Just like they do alcohol. What people do with the subtance is not that important.
Just like alcohol it can make you impaired. Thats why you shouldn't drive a car or operate heavy machinary while under the influence if the k2, Just like you would alcohol. Gice this up lawmakers you are just trying to make something else illegal so you can benefit from the fines that it generates just like with pot. Thats why its still illegal to have on one's person... Just legalize it already.... Dale Konkle
Dale Konkle
To whom ever this may concern,
I dont know what the big deal is about this k2 so called drug. They just need to regulate the k2 subtance. Just like they do alcohol. What people do with the subtance is not that important.
Just like alcohol it can make you impaired. Thats why you shouldn't drive a car or operate heavy machinary while under the influence if the k2, Just like you would alcohol. Give this up lawmakers you are just trying to make something else illegal so you can benefit from the fines that it generates just like with pot. Thats why its still illegal to have on one's person... Just legalize it already.... Dale Konkle
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