New Hampshire Governor Declares State of Emergency Due to New Type of Synthetic Pot

On Thursday, August 14th, New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan declared a state of emergency in response to 44 reports of overdoses linked to a new form of synthetic pot.

Synthetic pot belongs to a classification of drugs called canniboids, which have similar psychological effects as the active drugs in cannabis. Synthetic marijuana is often sprayed onto FDA-approved plant material, creating something a user could smoke or burn like incense, or consumed in another fashion. A recent study from the DEA declared that synthetic marijuana, also referred to as “fake pot,” “herbal incense,” or “potpourri,” constituted an imminent public safety hazard.

The synthetic pot, “Smacked,” comes in a bubblegum flavor and until recently has been sold legally at convenience stores labelled as potpourri. By declaring a state of emergency, Hassan has authorized public health officials in the state to investigate stores and quarantine the synthetic pot product.

“These products pose a serious threat to public health, especially to young people, and it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to combat the recent rash of overdoses,” Hassan said in a statement.

Although none of the overdoses have been fatal so far, the surge to 44 overdoses reported from emergency rooms – mostly in the Manchester area – was a huge cause for concern. Before the governor declared the state of emergency, Manchester police reported that they found the new synthetic pot at three area convenience stores.

The synthetic pot is sold as a potpourri-like substance, but is sprayed with engineered chemicals that are similar to THC – tetrahydrocannabinol – the compound in marijuana that can create a high or sense of euphoria in the user. However, synthetic pot products are more concentrated than THC, and can contain other chemical compounds which can cause harm to the user.

The DEA recently made three types of synthetic marijuana specifically illegal so that they could investigate how the drug is distributed and made. Many synthetic drugs are difficult to test for – in part because the chemical structure of the drugs can be easily changed, and because the drugs are very new and drug tests do not look for those specific molecules in the body. However, the larger problem is their easy availability, and their legal status which makes them accessible to underage users.

Synthetic drugs are hard to detect.  A study from last year concluded that synthetic drugs like synthetic marijuana do not show up on every drug tests. According to a new study by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a quarter to one-third of young men passing through the District of Columbia’s criminal justice system tested clean on conventional drug tests, but newer tests showed they had used synthetic marijuana. The study took urine samples from 482 people, entering the DC Criminal Justice System between November 2012 and March 2013. Testing for 12 substances known to be synthetic marijuana, or synthetic cannaboids, showed that men under 30, often on parole or probation, were the heaviest users.

The current standard drug panel, which tests for alcohol and a variety of illegal drugs, does not often pick up synthetic marijuana. According to the study, 39% of the men who tested positive for synthetic marijuana on a more rigorous test, ended up testing negative for the designer drug on the standard panel.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help Defend Against Drug Charges Involving Synthetic Pot

If you or a loved one have been found with synthetic pot, or other synthetic drugs, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much of the drug was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for synthetic marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800