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Gov. Cuomo calls for stronger regulations on synthetic pot, bath salts

Posted 7/25/15

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for stronger regulations to combat synthetic cannabinoids sales, including in St. Lawrence County, following nearly 2,000 state-wide emergency department visits due to …

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Gov. Cuomo calls for stronger regulations on synthetic pot, bath salts

Posted

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for stronger regulations to combat synthetic cannabinoids sales, including in St. Lawrence County, following nearly 2,000 state-wide emergency department visits due to adverse health effects from synthetic cannabinoid use.

These dangerous, man-made compounds have resulted in a dramatic increase in hospital visits and poison control center calls. The sale and possession of dozens of synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts were banned by the Department of Health at the urging of Cuomo in August, 2012. The new regulations will expand the existing list of banned substances to include new chemical compounds that drug producers have begun to make since 2012.

From April 1 to June 30, New York saw over 1,900 emergency department visits and more than 680 poison control center calls related to synthetic cannabinoid use. This represents more than a tenfold increase over the same time period in 2014. Nationally, there have been 15 synthetic cannabinoid-related deaths reported to poison control centers during January through May 2015. None were in New York.

“This rash of medical emergencies is proof positive that these synthetic drugs are dangerous and a threat to public health,” Cuomo said. “These new, stronger regulations will allow us to crack down on these harmful products and stop those who seek to skirt the law in order to sell these drugs and the misery that comes with them.”

Synthetic cannabinoids are marketed as legal and typically consist of plant material coated by chemicals which are supposed to mimic THC, the active chemical compound in marijuana. Since 2012, the producers of synthetic cannabinoids have been attempting to skirt New York’s regulations by developing new chemicals. The new emergency regulations add two additional classes of compounds to the banned substances list, which potentially include hundreds of different hazardous chemicals and will be in effect upon approval by the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council and filing with the Department of State.

In addition to these updated regulations, DOH and OASAS have continued to issue health advisories to hospitals, emergency departments, ICUs, urgent care centers, community health clinics, medical directors, nursing directors, and primary care providers in order to keep them updated on this growing public health threat, as well as provide information and resources that can be used when dealing with patients.

The dangerous drugs are marketed as incense, herbal mixtures, or potpourri in order to mask their true purpose. Street names for substances include Spice, K2, Green Giant, Smacked, Wicked X, AK-47, Geeked Up, Ninja, Caution, Red Giant, and Keisha Kole.

Users of the synthetic mixtures can never be certain in which ways the drugs will harm them, but users have experienced symptoms that include renal failure, death, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, tremor, seizures, hallucinations, paranoia, increased heart rate, loss of consciousness and violent behavior. These effects can be similar to those of phencyclidine, or PCP.

If you are aware of locations where these products are being manufactured, sold, or distributed, call the Synthetic Drug Hotline at 1-888-99-SALTS (1-888-997-2587).

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can call or text the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369).