Walt Lamar: Tackling synthetic marijuana in Indian Country

Thursday, November 10, 2011  

"You may think spice can be found somewhere in your kitchen, but if you hear young folks talking about it, they probably aren’t discussing cinnamon. Chances are, they’re talking about synthetic marijuana, which comes marketed as “herbal smoking blends,” or “herbal incense.” The packets contain a mixture of plant matter that has been laced with chemicals that mimic some of the mind-altering reactions of cannabis.

We know from our relatives and training clients that many Native youth see spice as an easy way to get high, but the compounds have unpredictable effects. The packets are usually labeled “Not for human consumption,” and no words could be more true. Commonly reported side effects include anxiety, panic and vomiting, seizures and hallucinations. For some, the extreme paranoia can drive the user to suicidal thoughts. Worse, these products are still found in unregulated smoke shops, convenience stores and among various reservation vendors. In just two years, calls to poison control centers nationwide from people suffering from exposure to synthetic marijuana rose from a few hundred to nearly 3,000 in 2010. This year there have been over 5,000 emergency calls, a clear indication that the problem is increasing nationwide."

Get the Story:
Walt Lamar: Hazy Legal Jurisdiction for Synthetic Marijuana (Indian Country Today 11/10)