Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2, Spice)
A substance often called "fake weed," "K2," and "spice" can cause severe bleeding and possibly death.
These products are found across the U.S. in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia shops, novelty stores, and online.
There was one confirmed death in Milwaukee County in 2018.
About these drugs
Synthetic cannabinoids are not one drug. Hundreds of different synthetic cannabinoid chemicals are manufactured and sprayed on dried plant material or sold as liquids to be inhaled in products like e-cigarettes or other vaping devices. New cannabinoid chemicals with unknown health risks are available each year.
These products are unsafe, and the health effects from using them can be unpredictable, harmful, and even life threatening. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is currently monitoring data across the nation regarding outbreaks.
Other names for synthetic cannabinoids
These products are sold under various names including:
- Black Mamba
- Bling Blang Monkey
- Bombay Blue
- Climax
- Cloud 9
- Fake Weed
- Genie
- Joker
- K2
- Kisha Cole
- Legal Weed
- Matrix
- OMG
- Phantom
- Red, Blue, or Yellow Giant
- Releaf
- Scooby Snax
- Spice
- Zohai
For health professionals
In patients who present with bleeding not from an injury and not otherwise explained, including nosebleeds, bleeding of the gums, bruising, vomiting blood, blood in urine or stool, or excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, emergency department and urgent care providers are encouraged to:
- Ask patients if they have used synthetic cannabinoids within the last three months. Terms for these products may include K2, Spice, Synthetic Marijuana, Fake Weed, Legal Weed, and Genie.
- If the patient reports synthetic cannabinoid use or you suspect use, check the patient’s International Normalized Ratio before releasing them.
- Synthetic Cannabinoid Initial Questionnaire (PDF)
- Synthetic Cannabinoid One Week Follow-Up Survey (PDF)
- WSLH Request for Brodifacoum (PDF)
- WSLH Quantitative Brodifacoum Testing Instructions (PDF)
- DPH Synthetic Cannabinoid Memo for Pharmacies - 6/22/2018 (PDF)
- DPH Synthetic Cannabinoid Memo for Hospital Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinicians - 6/22/2018 (PDF)
- DPH Synthetic Cannabinoid Memo for Emergency Healthcare Workers and Emergency Medical Services - 6/22/2018 (PDF)
Resources
Media requests should go to the Department of Health Services media at DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-266-1683.
Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, call 211 or 833-944-4673 to learn about all treatment services available in Wisconsin.