Editor’s note: Click here to read the Monday, April 9, 2018, Chicago Tonight report on three Illinois deaths due to synthetic marijuana.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos issued the following statement, as a result of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reporting 107 cases of synthetic cannabis use, resulting in severe bleeding and three deaths. Two of these recent fatalities came from Peoria and Tazewell Counties.
“I want to be very clear. Synthetic cannabinoids are literally killing people across Central Illinois right now….We need everyone’s help to get the word out, before they claim another life,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “The Illinois Department of Health and Law Enforcement officials are working as fast as they can, to get to the root of this problem. But we can’t stop the spread of this deadly substance without help from the community. If you have, or someone you know has, taken K2/Spice, or any other kind of synthetic cannabinoids and are/is having a medical reaction, I strongly urge you to call 911 as soon as possible.”
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed onto dried plant material. IDPH is investigating, to try to identify any common products and determine where they were obtained. In the past, synthetic cannabinoids have been found across Illinois and the U. S. in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia shops, novelty stores, and online.
Recent reports indicated that the deadly versions of these products have included chemical compounds that appear to be rat poison.
Synthetic cannabinoid brands and packaging often are sold as
- K2
- Spice
- Black Mamba
- Bombay Blue
- Genie
- Zohai
- other names.
For additional information and resources, please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
