Fake Weed Causing Death in the US – What You Need to Know About K2

Synthetic marijuana is also known as K2. It resembles dried herbs or sand and is infused with powerful chemicals that are intended to mimic the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC in marijuana that creates the “high” that marijuana users feel.

Unfortunately, the producers of fake weed often change the formulas of their products to bypass the law. This puts users at high risk for purchasing potent or poor batches of synthetic marijuana, which may lead to life-threatening injuries and even death.

If you have questions or are charged with a drug crime, you should reach out to Martin Drias, an experienced Detroit drug lawyer at Drias Law Group.

For a free consultation, call (313) 944-0236 today.

Common Side Effects and Injuries

K2 can be sprinkled on shredded plant material and smoked or consumed through an e-cigarette or another device such as a vaporized liquid. Irritability, aggressiveness, and severe depression are some of the most common side effects of fake weed. In some cases, this substance can also lead to:

• Seizure
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Brain damage
• High blood pressure
• Blurred vision
• Back and stomach pain
• Death

Recent Increase in K2 Related Deaths

Recently, fake weed has led to 56 cases of severe bleeding, two of which have led to fatalities across Chicago and other areas in Illinois. Sadly, these cases required hospitalization due to a bloody nose, coughing up blood, blood in urine, and other severe symptoms. The Illinois Department of Public Health also found that nine of these cases tested positive for rat poison.

Dr. Nirav Shah, the director of the Illinois Department of Health, explained that the number of K2 injuries and deaths continue to increase. The department is currently collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners to try to find common products with K2.

In 2016, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the use of fake weed significantly rose between 2010 and 2015. Physicians treated 456 patients for serious injuries caused by K2 during this time frame.

How Are Synthetic Drugs Viewed in Michigan?

Michigan law considers synthetic drugs as controlled substance analogues. Synthetic drugs are similar to controlled substances and have a narcotic, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic impact on a user.

Although they are similar to Schedule 1 and 2 controlled substances, they are not listed under these controlled substance schedules. While K2 is one of the most common types of synthetic drugs in the state, Michigan residents also use:

• Ketamine or Special K
• GBL
• Synthetic PCP
• Synthetic heroin
• Bath salts

Penalties for Synthetic Drug Crimes in Michigan

Michigan takes synthetic drug crimes seriously. If you are convicted of using synthetic drugs, you may face costly fines of up to $1,000, one year in jail, and a loss of your driver’s license. Possession of synthetic drug crimes are felonies that may be punishable with a prison sentence of up to two years and fined up to $2,000. In the event you are convicted of trafficking a synthetic drug, you may be left with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Regardless of whether you are charged for using, possessing, or trafficking fake weed or another synthetic drug, you’ll damage your criminal record and find it difficult to secure a job, rent a place to live or keep your professional license.

Why Consult a Detroit Drug Lawyer

If you are charged with the use, possession, or trafficking of K2, you should know that your future is at stake. For a chance at improving your situation and avoiding a conviction, you should consult an experienced lawyer immediately.

Attorney Martin Drias from Drias Law Group can investigate the details of your case and design a solid defense strategy. Some of the defenses he may use include:

• You did not know the fake weed was in your possession. For instance, it may have been slipped into your purse or on your person without your knowledge.
• You lacked the possession of the fake weed. For example, if the K2 was discovered in your home that you share with a friend and you don’t have access to the area it was found in, you had no control over the drug and should not be found guilty as a result.
• The substance was misidentified and is not fake weed or another synthetic drug.

Contact Drias Law Group

If you have been charged with a fake weed crime, you should reach out to Detroit drug lawyer Martin Drias. With extensive experience as a previous prosecutor and knowledge of Michigan drug laws, you can increase your chance of ensuring a favorable case outcome. Contact (313) 944-0236 today to arrange a free and confidential case assessment.