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K2 (drug)

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K2 is the brand name of an incense blend, made of herbs, spices and synthetic cannabinoids (notably JWH-018), which mimic the effects of cannabis. According to media speculation, it's produced in China. Although it is sold as incense, it has become increasingly popular to consume it in ways comparable to cannabis, including smoking. It is also known as K2 Incense, and is similar to Spice and comes in many varieties with names such as Blonde, Summit, Standard, and Citron. No official studies have been conducted on its effects on humans. Though its effects are not well documented, extremely large doses may cause negative effects that are generally not noted in marijuana users, such as increased agitation and vomiting.

K2 Incense is legal and readily available throughout most of the United States and online. The K2 manufacturer has warned of counterfeits being sold by many stores throughout the US. The Drug Enforcement Administration considers K2 a "drug of concern." Spokesman David Ausiello has stated, "We're in the early stages of trying to figure out how potent it is." Its use has sparked alarm in several states including Kansas, Kentucky, and Iowa which have banned the sale and possession of its active chemicals. The Arkansas Board of Health approved an emergency order to ban in-state sales of JWH-018/073 on July 2, 2010.. Alabama and Missouri have banned JWH-018/073, and other states such as Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois are seeking to ban the substance as well. New K2 product known as K2 Sex and marketed as "Legal Alternative to banned K2 Products" has already showed up in the banned markets, such as Kansas and Georgia. The US Army has banned soldier use of products containing JWH-018, JWH-073, HU-210, which are the ingredients in some of the original K2 brand products.

Individual localities have also banned or sought to ban some of the active ingredients in the original K2. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy voted on July 20, 2010 to ban the sale of JWH-018 and JWH-073. The ban, due in part to the drug being blamed for the suicide of an Iowa teen, took effect on July 21, 2010. The pharmacy board's move is temporary. It will take legislative action to make it permanent.. On May 18, 2010, the Mayor and Police Chief of Elkhart, Indiana asked local retailers to stop selling the substance, though to date few have complied, which has prompted an investigation by the Indiana State DA into several businesses still selling the substance.

References

  1. "Drug profile: Synthetic cannabinoids and 'Spice'". EMCDDA Drug Profiles. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. 2009. Retrieved 2010-04-21.,
  2. "International K2 Incense Orders". K2 Incense. 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  3. "Fake pot that acts real stymies law enforcement". The Associated Press. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  4. Jeanna Bryner (2010-03-03). "Fake Weed, Real Drug: K2 Causing hallucinations in Teens". LiveScience. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  5. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/03/03/fake-pot-panic.html
  6. http://k2verified.org/news/
  7. Donna Leinwand (24 May 2010). "Places race to outlaw K2 'Spice' drug". USA Today. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  8. Gavin Lesnick (2 July 2010). "Beebe signs emergency ban on K2". Arkansas Online. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  9. Nick de Soto (16 July 2010). "Missouri bans K2". AreaWideNews. South Missouri. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  10. http://k2incense.org/blends/k2-sex.html
  11. http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/30/2374322/cleburne-watauga-frisco-and-plano.html
  12. Tony Leys (21 July 2010). "Pharmacy board bans K2 synthetic marijuana". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
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