Synthetic Marijuana

[mrjizzbomber]

I know many on this board don't smoke, but for those who do, I thought you might find this interesting.

I occasionally smoke - mostly just with my boys - but I keep hearing and reading about K2 Synthetic Marijuana. I read up about it, and apparently it was created by a research professor, is easily created and is intended to mimic the effects of weed.

Of course, I was interested and - the one thing no one seemed to be saying was - what the hell does it do when you smoke it? Do you get the same high as marijuana? Something similar. So I bought (legally, in a fucking store!) a bag and tried it out.

And Holy Shit! This stuff is absolutely NOT weed. It might "work on the same receptor in the brain" or something, but I don't know what the hell it is. I didn't get K2 brand - I went with something else which the guy said was "a little stronger". The first time I smoked I thought it might have been because I smoked it like weed (took a few hits and saw what happened). After a bad first experience, I tried again (I'm stubborn), just taking a tiny hit. Both times - same EXACT effect.

The breakdown: First 5 minutes, I felt fine, then started getting gradually high. After about 10 to 15 minutes, I started feeling weird. I got up, and began pacing around (both times, I did the same thing). I got the urge to lay down, and was getting a weird combination of tired, nauseous (wasn't going to throw up, didn't feel well) and paranoid. I began controlling my breathing (I got this weird feeling that if I didn't, I wouldn't breath).

Eventually I started getting cold, both times I HAD to wrap myself in my blanket (temp in room was 72), The second time I even shivered.

The second time (when I smoked MUCH less), my legs and toes tingled and even twitched a little bit. I felt strung out like a crack head or something. I was having a very difficult time getting my shit together. I know I was high, but there was about 3 or 4 distinctly different effects on my body. The first time I smoked I thought maybe I was being a little over paranoid and maybe it was all in my head, but the second time I had an identical experienced.

I want to stress this to would-be smokers of synthetic pot - it was a BAD experience. It was as negative an experience as drinking WAY too much, and being face first in a toilet bowl vomiting and trying not to pass out and collapse - very different experience, but the same "never again" feeling (yes, I know, I tried again...)

The good thing is that the shit feeling and sickness eventually passed - after maybe 15 minutes of it. Half an hour or so after smoking I just felt really high, and it was actually kinda great. I was high, similar to had I smoked pot, for ~ an hour or so, and it kinda went away all at once.

However, I would never smoke this stuff again. Not even if I didn't have access to pot. The 15 minutes of sickness was REALLY awful. I don't know what my body was actually going through, and how much was in my head, but my general philosophy is to use common sense and listen to what your body tells you. And my body tells me this stuff is really fucked up.

So, as much as I want to see pot legal in this country (and fully believe it should be), this shit is almost surely dangerous, and it really has to be banned ASAP. I just hope that this awful product's emergence doesn't hinder the fight for legalization... it really could give pot a bad name.

Anyone else come across K2, synthetic marijuana (also branded with names such as Spice, Space, and about 100 other names)? Any similar experiences to mine? Any GOOD experiences??

[Jaz]

I didn't read most of what you wrote, but the mere fact that it's synthetic would be a bad thing imo. Many of the arguments FOR weed say that it's just a plant, not a man-made drug.. and progress has been being made lately.. So really I see this as a backward step.

[mrjizzbomber]

I want to clear up something from my OP. The reason I think this needs to be off the streets asap isn't necessarily that its "dangerous" (although my guess is it is, at least somewhat).

The reason it needs to be banned ASAP is that people are 'tricked' into thinking its just like weed. People (like myself) are buying it thinking they are getting a marijuana substitute, and make no mistake, while similar to the high of pot, the experience overall was VERY different.

Usually I would side with those who are saying it should be explored, tested and then a decision on its legality should be made. The reason I disagree is that - people (teens, young adults, etc) are thinking its just like pot. PARTICULARLY if it IS dangerous, this is a dangerous scenario... people buying something dangerous thinkings its as harmless as pot.

Keeping this legal isn't like heroine being legal - people are fully aware of the dangers of heroine, so most people wouldn't run out and buy it. This is like legalizing heroine and telling people its just like tobacco, or something. I don't know, I just think its really fucked up that so many people are buying this because they think its just like weed. At least, thats my take.

[mrjizzbomber]

I didn't read most of what you wrote, but the mere fact that it's synthetic would be a bad thing imo. Many of the arguments FOR weed say that it's just a plant, not a man-made drug.. and progress has been being made lately.. So really I see this as a backward step.

I thought about that for a while too. But, at the same time, what if they could synthesize a drug that DOES completely mimic marijuana with NO negative effects. Why not?

Maybe I'm wrong, because the shit was fucked up. And with pot, mother nature seems to have had it right. In many aspects, humans, science and technology have not caught up to what the world naturally provides.

[Jaz]

Agree somewhat.. sadly with the way things work in politics, I really don't see it being a good thing at any point.

[AbramIsaac]

Sounds like you had a bad reaction to the research chemicals in it.

Generally, this stuff works very much like thc would, unless it throws you into a panic attack--which is what seems to have happened to you. I'm not a fan of the stuff. I'm not too fond of research chemicals, and none of these blends make it clears as to what's actually in them.

Chances are, it was:
JWH-018, or JWH-017
HU-211(less likely)
Drobinal

I don't think it should be made illegal, but rather that it should be regulated. However, it's not clear as to what the effects are on the body. JWH-018 (the most common one used) is said by it's creator to possibly break down in the body as a carcinogen, so it's not really safe stuff.

[mrjizzbomber]

The only reason I think it should be banned is that kids are picking it up thinking its pot. I'm personally all for trying something once - and I was able to 'deal' with the fucked up reaction I had, but I feel like since this is legal a LOT of teens will try it, thinking it will have the same effect as marijuana... kids who might NOT be able to handle their shit. For me, this was a negative experience, for someone else - they might go through something straight up traumatic.

Its VERY deceptive. If kids understood the real effects these drugs had on your body, and they respected them for what they are, then I wouldn't be calling for a ban. But they're "marketing" these drugs as a pot alternative! Particularly if they are actually dangerous (sure, the effects suck, but if you're not going to be harmed then whatever).

Someone is making a lot of money off of this, and the reason they are making that money is deception. On that basis, I believe something has to be done.

And, of course, they need to fucking legalize pot!

[AbramIsaac]

I agree, and the issue you're really getting at is the lack of real drug education.

Not fear mongering, but actual drug education. If they stopped the DARE bullshit and just sent kids to Erowid, they might be able to get a firm grasp on the dangers and benefits of drug use.

The ability to make an informed decision is much more important than being dissuaded based on propaganda.

[mrjizzbomber]

What I'm interested in is what caused such a response to the drug for me. I hear that these drugs activate the receptors in the brain MUCH more intensely, latching on much better. Is that it? Is it the same chemical reaction that THC has, just exponentially more intense??? - I really can't believe that to be true.

[Arrinef]

i tried space, and i didnt have any negative effects, i was just lost in my own world. I've known people who've done and tripped out bad.


different people get different experiences., same shit with salvia

[Nick419]

ive smoked G14(not G13 or w.e. that government weed shit is) and K2, they're both sold at various tobacco shops in my city (420 clinic, Big Daves, etc.). 420 sells various kinds with prices ranging due to potency. i got the strongest kind called XXL n it went for like $15 a gram. It was the quickest high ive ever gotten, i could feel the effects within mins. of my first hit. The high is much similar to weed but yet its not. For example i could go to sleep after smoking weed but this shit made me AWAKE. Its worth a try once but not worth the price, i mean $15 or more is ridiculous when a gram of weed only cost $5. It is however worth it if ur on papers cuz it does not show up in drug tests and i kno alot of people who smoke it cuz of that. So yes it does indeed get u high but theres both pros and cons to it. I might try it again someday if i get a big paycheck jus cuz im not expecting it 2 stay legal but in the mean time ill stick with weed

[Arrinef]

The reason it needs to be banned ASAP is that people are 'tricked' into thinking its just like weed. People (like myself) are buying it thinking they are getting a marijuana substitute, and make no mistake, while similar to the high of pot, the experience overall was VERY different.

Maybe it was purposely made that way. Perhaps it's a subliminal way to lure people who haven't smoked weed to test it out and think, "holy shit, if this is a replica of how it is getting high with regular weed, I'm never trying this shit again".

Just a suggestion.

holy shit, i would have never thought of that............fucking government

[mrjizzbomber]

Hah, the emergence and popularity of synthetic marijuana does fall suspiciously close to November's election (in which California has a very-likely-to-pass proposition to LEGALIZE marijuana. Uhhh, can you say, historic?)

Anyway, what is even more interesting is that the REAL "pro-marijuana" crowd (those who are supporting it on with intellectual arguments) are VERY, VERY against synthetic marijuana. Unfortunately, the faux "pro-marijuana" crowd (aka druggies) will use anything that gets them high. It actually appears that an interesting debate amongst the marijuana community itself has emerged.

[TheHundred$]

All I can say is... Marijuana is a natural Herb from the ground...

That's why many do not consider it a drug... Drugs are man made. Yes Marijuana does has additives now as the strains get more powerful.. But you can still plant your own.. Grown your own.. Completely natural not man made..

Now SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA is man made. That means whatever chemicals and "Addictive" properties they wanna add can be added without notice to the consumer. Think cigarettes, Synthetic Marijuana is basically a cigarettes in the sense that it has chemicals and additives that are very harmful. If you are going to smoke Marijuana smoke the natural herb that grows from the ground. If not you might as well do some coke too, might as well try some meth because they are all "Synthetic"

Also I have friends that smoke "Spice". It is legal and sold in smoke shops as a Marijuana substitute. If you read up on spice it is not meant to be consumed at all, in fact it is an Incense for lighting and smelling good, basically you smoke it and you get a very dirty, disgusting feeling high that gives you a headache and tastes like vanilla aroma inscense. This is sort of a "Chemical" Marijuana impersonator.

Marijuana becoming legal is very bad for the average Marijuana smoker. Yes the ignorant ones think, YESSSSS I can buy my weed in a shop or whatever, and yes I can't get in trouble... But Marijuana being legal means for 1. Taxes will be applied to it(Think alcohol) and 2. Chemical additives will be added to get you PHYSICALLY ADDICTED so you need to buy it. The government will be growing all of it and all the self owned dispensaries and Drug Dealers will be put out of business by how cheap the government is selling it in their own dispensaries, and in gas stations ect.. It is such a profitable market tell me how the government is not going to want full control as they do alcohol, They will want every dime from it.

These are my opinions.

[mrjizzbomber]

Yes, the government will heavily tax it - as a pot smoker I am OK with that. I would much rather have to pay taxes than have to risk imprisonment (my state has very, VERY strict policy regarding weed... ANY amount of pot can land you IN JAIL).

Plus, I would much rather buy from a corner store than have to have my transaction with a shady drug dealer, who also tries to push acid onto me EVERY TIME. DUDE, I JUST SMOKE POT!

You lost me with your last point. I guarantee you that once pot is legalize no one will add 'addictive' ingredients to the mix. I'm sure they will sell spliffs (marijuana & tobacco), which will contain nicotine, but pure pot will be readily available... it will be identical to how pot is sold in states that have legalized and regulated medical marijuana