Synthetic marijuana is a psychoactivedesigner drug derived of natural herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that, when consumed, allegedly mimic the pleasurable effects of cannabis. It is best known by the brand names K2 and Spice. It is often marketed as “herbal incense“; however, some brands market their products as “herbal smoking blends”. In either case, the products are usually smoked by users and can be purchased in convenience stores or gas stations. Confounding the problem, synthetic cannabis does not produce positive results in drug tests. Several US states have already made them illegal under state law. The Drug Enforcement Administration is acting “to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety.”
David Sandrow, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, works with individuals and families struggling with addiction. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable as some of them begin to experiment with alcohol and other drugs, especially those who have other risk factors such as learning disabilities or ADHD, family problems such as divorce, or low self-esteem. If you are concerned about your teenager and they have stopped communicating with you as a parent, please give us a call to see if we can help. The Miami Counseling & Resource Center has 15 therapists and psychiatrists available to assist. We can be reached at www.miamicounseling.com or (305)448-8325.