Another good read about the Synthetic marijuana crackdown, this time closer to home for our readers, in NY. Synthetic marijuana is total garbage, and should not be sold. States should give access to everyone, medicinal and recreational, to marijuana that is grown in a controlled environment. Synthetic marijuana gives a bad rep to marijuana, legit medicinal practice and continues the paranoia of “refer madness” when you see the videos the NYPD has been sending out.
via Gothamist: NY City and NY state officials have been attempting to crack down on synthetic marijuana, which officials say has sent hundreds of New Yorkers to the hospital this year. And at an NYPD briefing today, Commissioner Bill Bratton addressed this so-called “weaponized” weed, showing reporters videos of officers attempting to arrest naked men who appeared to be locked and loaded with this stuff.
Bratton repeatedly referred to synthetic weed as “weaponized marijuana,” and warned that Northern Manhattan is at a particularly high risk when it comes to hospitalizations stemming from usage. Synthetic marijuana is also especially problematic among the homeless, according to the NYPD, and it seems cops do not enjoy making related arrests. “The idea of trying to wrestle with a naked person makes [fake weed] even harder for officers,” Bratton said.
Last month, health officials announced that over 1,900 New Yorkers made fake weed-related emergency room visits from April to June, pointing out that synthetic marijuana is often sprayed with chemicals that can make people sick. These drugs are often sold for about $2 to $5 in local bodegas, marketed as incense or potpourri. The NYPD has not yet responded to request for more information regarding the videos.
you can view the full article here: http://gothamist.com/2015/08/04/video_nypd_says_synthetic_weaponize.php