{"id":102,"date":"2014-11-06T14:41:09","date_gmt":"2014-11-06T14:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onondaga.gov\/health\/syntheticmarijuana\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T14:37:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:37:19","slug":"synthetic-marijuana","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/onondaga.gov\/health\/synthetic-marijuana\/","title":{"rendered":"Synthetic Marijuana"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image102_ab6bf1-26 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image102_ab6bf1-26\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onondaga.gov\/health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/195\/2025\/07\/SyntheticCannabinoidsFAQRetailer.pdf\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/onondaga.gov\/health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/195\/2025\/07\/FAQs-RetailersButton.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>NYSDOH Press Release<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>State Health Commissioner Orders a Stop to Sale of Synthetic Marijuana<\/strong><br>ALBANY, N.Y. (March 29, 2012) \u2013 New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H. has issued an order of summary action banning the sale of synthetic marijuana products in New York State. These substances, generally referred to as &#8220;synthetic marijuana&#8221;, consist of plant material coated by chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.health.ny.gov\/press\/releases\/2012\/2012-03-29_synthetic_marijiana.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section  class=\" c-block b-accordion c-block--layout-stacked\">\n\t<div  class=\"b-accordion__container l-container\">\n\n\t\t\n<header\t class=\"c-block__content-block c-block__header b-accordion__header c-content-block c-content-block--layout-left\"\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"c-content-block__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<h2  class=\"c-block__title b-accordion__title h2 c-content-block__title\" >\n\tFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n<\/header>\n\n\t\t<div  class=\"b-accordion__content\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion\"\tdata-js=\"c-accordion\">\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd792e\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd792f\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic marijuana)?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd792e\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd792f\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Synthetic cannabinoids are a large family of chemically unrelated structures that are synthesized and marketed to mimic the action of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive constituent of marijuana. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substances in New York State. Schedule I controlled drugs are the most highly restricted drugs in New York and are not legal for sale to the public. Other examples of Schedule I controlled substances include heroin and LSD.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7930\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7931\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow are synthetic cannabinoids packaged?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7930\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7931\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>They are sold as incense, herbal mixtures, or potpourri with a variety of names including, but not limited to \u201cK2,\u201d \u201cSpice,\u201d \u201cMr. Nice Guy,\u201d and \u201cGalaxy Gold\u201d They often carry a \u201cnot for human consumption\u201d label in order to disguise the true purpose of the substance.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7932\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7933\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the dangerous effects of synthetic cannabinoid abuse?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7932\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7933\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The most common adverse effects that have been reported include tachycardia (increased heart rate), paranoid behavior, agitation, irritability, nausea and vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, headache, hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, seizures and syncope (loss of consciousness). Severe side effects may include acute renal failure and significant negative effects to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Use of synthetic cannabinoids has also been linked to death. Synthetic cannabinoids do not show up on a urine drug screen as THC.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7935\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7936\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids in New York State?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7935\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7936\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Effective March 28, 2012 these compounds are prohibited from sale and distribution pursuant to an Order for Summary Action signed by the Commissioner of Health. This Order includes the five types of synthetic cannabinoids banned by the Drug Enforcement Administration on March 1, 2011.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7937\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7938\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWho is abusing synthetic cannabinoids?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7937\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd7938\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Reports to New York Poison Control Centers indicate use in the teen and young adult population. The products are used to mimic the effects of marijuana.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7939\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793a\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow big is the problem?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd7939\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793a\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Nationwide, calls to Poison Control Centers regarding instances of poisoning from products containing synthetic cannabinoids increased more than 200 percent from 2010 to 2011.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd793b\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793c\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy the concern?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd793b\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793c\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>There has been a rapid and significant increase in abuse of these substances in the United States. These substances have the potential to be extremely harmful due to their high potency, severe adverse effects and a mistaken belief that they are a safe, legal alternative to marijuana. Therefore, pose an imminent hazard to public safety.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<article  class=\"c-accordion__row\">\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\t<button  class=\"c-accordion__header h5\"\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd793d\" id=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793e\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"c-accordion__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow may I contact the Poison Control Center?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content\"\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-69e1638dd793d\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-header-69e1638dd793e\" hidden=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<div  class=\"c-accordion__content-container s-sink\"\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The Poison Control Center can be reached at (800) 222-1222.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NYSDOH Press Release State Health Commissioner Orders a Stop to Sale of Synthetic MarijuanaALBANY, N.Y. (March 29, 2012) \u2013 New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H. has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Synthetic Marijuana - Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/onondaga.gov\/health\/synthetic-marijuana\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Synthetic Marijuana - Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"NYSDOH Press Release State Health Commissioner Orders a Stop to Sale of Synthetic MarijuanaALBANY, N.Y. 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