More than 60 people have been sickened in the Austin area by a synthetic drug commonly known as K2, according to a report in The Austin American-Statesman.
The paper reports medics have treated 66 people in the last week, including another six overnight Thursday.
According to KXAN-TV in Austin, recent K2-related cases involve reports of seizures, convulsions and extremely violent behavior -- symptoms consistent with previous reports of bad batches of the synthetic drug.
"Officials also say this latest batch is sending some people to the hospital with an extremely low heart rate and blood pressure," KXAN reported.
Last May, more than 40 overdoses of K2 were reported in North Texas over a 48 hour period. In that rash of illnesses, a bad batch of the synthetic drug were believed to cause people to become violent, hallucinate and suffer seizures.
About K2
- K2, or "spice," is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of marijuana, but the manufactured version can be far more potent -- even deadly.
- It is a mixture of herbs and spices that is typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredients in marijuana, according to the DEA.
- It is commonly purchased in head shops, tobacco shops and over the Internet.
- It is often marketed as incense or "fake weed."
- It is typically sold in small, silvery plastic bags of dried leaves and marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is said to resemble potpourri.
- All 50 states have banned cannabinoids by outlawing specific compounds since 2011. A federal law in 2012 added certain cannabinoids to the U.S. controlled substances list.
K2 Spice (Text)
