With legalization of marijuana happening throughout North America, most recently when Canada legalized it on Oct. 17, 2018, there has been a lot of talk about the different kinds of weed and how it impacts you mentally and physically. One type that is gaining ground is synthetic cannabis. Also called fake weed, it has been seen as an alternative to real cannabis and was sold mostly in adult shops and online.

Synthetic cannabis first appeared 10 years ago in the United States and has been growing in use ever since. It often takes on names such as Voodoo, Kronic, Spice and Karma.

Essentially, synthetic cannabis is essentially a blend of plants and herbs that have been sprayed with cannabinoids that were created in a lab. These false cannabinoids give the same high you get from THC. If you get right down to it then, synthetic cannabinoids are just plants sprayed with synthetic THC.

A lot of people do enjoy synthetic cannabis and they use it in the same way they would with real weed. It can be smoked in a joint, with a bong or pipe, or even baked into food to eat as well. In addition, it will give the same high that you get from marijuana because of the THC that has been sprayed on it.

Those that have used synthetic cannabinoids state that it actually provides a high that is a lot stronger and a bit unpredictable because of the strength of the THC in the spray.

Since you are consuming something that has had synthetic chemicals sprayed on it, there is the worry about the safety of synthetic cannabis. How safe is it when you are taking the natural element out of the scenario?

Typically, the chemicals that are sprayed on the plant are classified as research chemicals. These chemicals have not always been approved for human consumption. Little is known about the long-term impact of these chemicals, or any side effects that may exist with them. For this reason, synthetic cannabis is actually illegal in Australia. In addition, many of the ingredients in synthetic cannabis have also been banned in several states. The chemicals found in synthetic cannabis were first developed in the 1980s, experimentally by scientists who were studying the brain.

Synthetic cannabis is very popular among the poor because it is so cheap, as well as those who are locked up in prison. In a study done in 2014, it was found that synthetic cannabis was also very popular among individuals in the military who were dealing with substance abuse problems.

There has been some danger associated with synthetic cannabinoids as well. In the United States in 2014, it was reported that a teenage male passed away after consuming synthetic cannabis. This cannabis causes swelling of the brain that killed him. In 2015, two men died from using synthetic cannabis due to poisoning. In addition, several individuals were hospitalized. Early in 2018, more than 160 people fell ill from using synthetic marijuana that had been mixed with rat poison. Of those 160 people, four died. Synthetic cannabis accounted for 8,000 calls to the poison center in 2015.

There are many more cases of people being severely impacted by the harsh chemicals in synthetic cannabis. In 2016, dozens of New York residents were in hospitals, completely unresponsive after taking the drug. That same year, dozens of U.S. soldiers and Marines were hospitalized after vaping with synthetic cannabinoid oil.

Beyond just dying, there are several other health risks when it comes to using synthetic marijuana. One of the biggest is the fact that it can cause seizures, rapid heartbeat and severe kidney damage. It is also highly addictive and can be tied to violent behavior and even suicidal thoughts.

What makes it so bad if it is just THC sprayed on plants? Well, THC is the main ingredient in cannabis that helps to give you that relaxed feeling. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain in a weak manner, which makes it very safe to use. With synthetic cannabinoids, THC holds onto those receptors much stronger. In fact, the molecules in synthetic chemicals can have a strength several hundred times more potent than the natural weed. This is why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency banned five of the compounds found in synthetic cannabis in 2011. In addition, Congress passed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act in 2012 to outlaw 15 of the chemicals found in synthetic cannabis, while not actually banning synthetic cannabis outright. Those who make synthetic cannabis products just responded by making new compounds that had similar effects on the person using it.

In addition, it can be very easy to find synthetic cannabis, especially in areas where cannabis itself is illegal. Police have found drug dealers selling synthetic cannabis everywhere, including at convenience stores and in gas stations. As was stated earlier, it can also be found online easily.

Drug tests have been developed, and continue to be developed, to detect synthetic cannabis in the urine. Drug testing agencies are also working very hard to keep up with the many changes that happen with synthetic drugs as criminals stay ahead of the police.

One scientist decided to put synthetic cannabis to the test and he purchases several packets of the drugs. He then analyzed the products and found that the compounds within can vary incredibly. He stated that what he found was that those who put synthetic cannabis in their bodies really had no idea what they were putting in their body. Essentially, it was a version of Russian roulette because you don’t know what is going to happen.

Best to avoid synthetic cannabis completely. Synthetic cannabis has many harmful chemicals in it that can cause severe damage to your body. If you want to smoke pot, smoke real pot. It is natural and you are not in danger of dying. No one has ever died from using natural cannabis, something that cannot be said for synthetic cannabis.