How do synthetic cannabinoids kill people?

“The number of cases continues to go up each day,” Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Tuesday. “Synthetic cannabinoids in general are not safe and this is one example of not knowing what chemicals are in the product. read more

Unless synthetic cannabinoids act in a way other than with the CB1 and CB2 receptors I can't imagine it being much different than how natural cannabinoids (e.g. phytocannabinoids) do. For reference, CB1 receptors are primarily in the brain and reproductive system are mostly associated with the desired effects of recreational use. read more

The second step is that get the public health message across that synthetic cannabinoids can kill. “Science has a poor understanding of how these drugs will effect you,” says Lapoint, “and the public has an even poorer understanding. People think ‘oh it’s just weed, just fake marijuana.’ Clearly the safety perception is way off. read more

However, synthetic cannabinoids are unregulated and identifying a source or sources is difficult. “We strongly urge people not to use synthetic cannabinoids,” she added, but she said that those who do use and then experience severe bleeding should be taken to a hospital for treatment. read more