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Parents beware – there are dozens of products today that are being sold as herbal smoking blends, marijuana alternatives or fake pot. Some of the brand names of the synthetic marijuana products include: K2, Blaze, Skunk, and Spice.

Synthetic marijuana is a mixture of dried leaves from traditional herbal plants. There are various colors including green, brown, blonde and red. Typically they are sold in small packets approximately 2 by 3 inches. The packets are foil packs or plastic zip bags.

What Are the Chemicals in Synthetic Marijuana?

Originally, the fake marijuana products contained a chemical called HU-210, which has a molecular structure very similar to THC — the active ingredient in marijuana. Because HU-210 is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the United States, the fake weed products were manufactured and sold only in Europe.

Recently, two new synthetic cannabinoid agonists have been created that are not similar in structure to THC and therefore not listed as controlled substances. By using CP 47,497 and JWH-018 in the synthetic marijuana mixtures, manufacturers are able to legally market their products in the United States.

There have been no studies conducted on what effects the fake marijuana may have on the body and brain.

There is a warning from one of the scientists who helped develop the JWH-018 chemical. While studying the effects of pharmaceuticals on the brain, a student of John Huffman, Clemson University research professor of chemistry, discovered the chemical JWH-018, also known by the name 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole.

“The problem with JWH-018 is that absolutely nothing is known regarding its toxicity or metabolites,” Huffman warned. “Therefore, it is potentially dangerous and should not be used.”

News reports state that there have been hundreds of emergency room visits and calls to poison-control centers as a result of using these synthetic marijuana products. Some states have banned the products.

Please educate your children that these “synthetic marijuana” or “fake pot” products are dangerous.