This Month in Psychopharmacology

Illinois Public Health Officials Warning About Synthetic Cannabinoid

As of April 2, 2018, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received reports of 56 cases, including two deaths since March 7, 2018. There reports are linked to an outbreak in which the cases report using synthetic cannabinoid products before suffering from severe bleeding. Many of the cases report acquiring the synthetic cannabinoid products in the greater Chicago area, but may be state wide. Individuals reported obtaining synthetic cannabinoid products (i.e., K2, spice, synthetic marijuana, and legal weed) from dealers, convenience stores, and friends. All cases have required hospitalization for symptoms such as coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, and/or bleeding gums. Anyone who has a reaction to synthetic cannabinoids, such as severe bleeding, should call 911 or have someone take them to the emergency department immediately. It is important for health care providers to ask patients about synthetic cannabinoid to determine about the possible link between patient symptoms and synthetic cannabinoid use.

>> Illinois Department of Public Health Synthetic Cannabinoids

>> Illinois Department of Public Health Press Release