Homeless People Latest Victims To Synthetic Marijuana

Homeless people are the latest victims of the cheaper version of synthetic marijuana. Users are left glassy-eyed, wandering into traffic, and even sprawled on the streets, totally oblivious to the world around them.

Last month almost 300 homeless people became ill in St. Louis because of this man-man hallucinogen. Experts say this is much more unpredictable and dangerous than the genuine thing. Los Angeles, New York City, and Austin Texas have also experienced the same outbreaks.

Lt. Kurt Thomas of the Austin police said the victims being incoherent, violent and catatonic on the ground were a common sight. Experts say the homeless are the easiest targets because the drug is cheap. One can get it for as long as 1-2 dollars a pop. Furthermore, it's much more difficult to detect during drug tests and provides a quick escape from reality.

Things worsened in St. Louis last month. Being the region's biggest provider of homeless services, it urged people to quit giving homeless dole outs for fear the money would be used to purchase the drug. Rev. Larry Rice of the New Life Evangelistic Center shelter saw the strange behaviors from some homeless people in the streets. These people told him that when they get so low they feel a sense of hopelessness. So when somebody sells this to them for a dollar they take it. That's how desperate people are out there per kron4.com.

Mr. Happy, K2 and Darkness

Apparently, synthetic marijuana has been in existence since the late 2000's. It's packaged under the names Mr. Happy, K2, and Darkness. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, it's a mixture of herbs and spices plus a synthetic compound that is chemically similar to THC- the psychoactive ingredients that are present in marijuana. It's usually manufactured in China and sold in head shops, online, and on the streets.

Medical Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana

The medical dangers of synthetic marijuana can be a hundred times more potent than genuine marijuana. This according to Dr. Anthony Scalzo who is the director of toxicology for Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Users suffer from palpitation, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and anxiety. The New England Journal of Medicine published last year that 20 deaths that occurred from August 2011 to April 2015 were due to the use of synthetic marijuana. However, this does not account for deaths due to overdose or those undetermined or multiple cases. Scalzo added that survivors can suffer from brain damage and permanent kidney failure.

About 150 homeless individuals overdosed on the drug since August in Austin. One death was blamed on the drug. Homeless advocates and the police authorities warn those on the street to fight the urge to use although they're well aware it's a difficult battle.

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