More than 120 people in Texas overdosed on synthetic marijuana in the span of five days. All the victims reportedly obtained the fake drug through the same supplier.
According to television station WFAA, over 30 users in Dallas and Austin were admitted to the hospital after consuming too much of the artificial pot, known as K2. 20 people entered Baylor Medical Center while 10 others went to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
The director of prevention programs for the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Dallas told WFAA that while overall K2 usage has not increased, consumers tend to follow widespread trends, viral videos or other Internet sources.
"What ends up happening is the media or the community doesn't catch wind of it until, unfortunately, when something bad happens," Stacey Davis said. "The compound is changed. And it's not illegal, because they have not banned that compilation of the drug."
A Doctor at Baylor Medical Center told WFAA the contents in the specialty marijuana are unknown.
"We don't know what they are putting into these synthetic drugs," Dr. James d'Etienne said.
One anonymous user told WFAA those addicted to the drug experience symptoms even when they're not high.
"I would describe the withdrawal from K2 like night sweats [and] waking up with overwhelming anxiety," they said.
Dr. d'Etienne said she has seen the drug affect users differently upon consumption.
"Several of them came in with similar symptoms of psychosis, altered mental status, abnormal behavior -- ranged from very sedated to an agitated state," he said.
Medical Daily reported that users also experience heart rate, nausea, confusion, anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. The publication received information from Poison Control Centers.
Medical Daily also obtained information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that approximately 221 people in Colorado fell ill after taking the substance in December.
Teenagers have reportedly opted for the substance - which can be bought online or in gas stations - rather than the real thing.
The synthetic marijuana in question might have also been spiked with another substance.
