Doctor: Synthetic Marijuana 'Potent, Dangerous Stuff'
In the wake of raids on a dozen local businesses selling it, Dr. Neil Capretto of Gateway Rehabilitation said that he's treated patients from Washington County—but that the problem is 'all over.'
Dr. Neil Capretto said one patient who came into Gateway Rehabilitation called the synthetic pot he was smoking “like marijuana on steroids.” In the wake of a raid of a dozen Washington County businesses that were selling the synthetic marijuana—often packaged as incense and labeled “not fit for human consumption”—Capretto, Gateway’s medical director, said the use of such “designer drugs” is on the rise. It’s not just in Washington County, either—although Capretto said he’s treated plenty of patients from the area. “It’s everywhere,” the doctor said. “It’s through most of the country now.” And it’s getting worse, he said. Right now, he said there are 140 different versions of synthetic marijuana, and each has its own “tweaked” version of …
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Roger
6:46 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Thank you for this piece. While the technical aspects of this substance is interesting, the open question remains: Why do people choose to use it for recreation? Much effort and many resources can be put into prohibiting usage, but the most effective way to stop or minimize use is to eliminate the desire to use the substance for recreational purposes. With so much of our national conversation … more ›