42 Hospitalized, 2 Dead In Tampa Area After Using Synthetic Pot

TAMPA, FL — Health officials say they are continuing to see new cases of people being hospitalized with severe bleeding and other life-threatening symptoms after using a synthetic marijuana being sold in Hillsborough County that they believe has been laced with rat poison.

"We are continuing to see these cases in Hillsborough County," said Alexandra Funk, co-managing director of the Florida Poison Information Center at Tampa General Hospital. "We have treated 42 patients including two reported deaths."

The Florida Poison Information Center said it’s likely a batch of the synthetic marijuana, most commonly referred to as Spice, that's being circulated in Hillsborough County was mixed with a pesticide called brodifacoum, a commonly used rat poison. A similar bout of synthetic marijuana poisonings occurred throughout the U.S. in 2018.

Hospitals throughout Hillsborough County have been admitting patients with severe bleeding after using the synthetic marijuana purchased in the Tampa area. The poison information center said residents should be aware that symptoms may develop and progress rapidly. People who have used Spice and notice any bleeding should go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Poison information center experts are available day or night at 1-800-222-1222 to provide free, confidential help for poison emergencies or questions.

The Florida Poison Information Center has distributed clinical alerts to all emergency departments and asked them to report new cases. Toxicologists and poison specialists are helping hospitals treat the poisoned patients.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County first notified residents about the risk on Dec. 10 after a number of people became severely ill with symptoms associated with coagulopathy, a condition in which the blood's ability to clot is impaired.

While the symptoms reported have varied, most cases have included bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, blood in urine or stool, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

The synthetic marijuana is also referred to as synthetic cannabinoids, fake pot, fake weed, legal weed, K-D, MindTrip, OMG, Black Giant, Matrix, Scooby Snacks, AK-47, Genie and Sexy Monkey.

According to Funk, synthetic marijuana actually contains none of the marijuana plant. It is a mixture of dried plant materials sprayed with human-made psychoactive chemicals intended to mimic the high people receive from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The drug may resemble potpourri but is usually labeled “not for human consumption” in an effort for distributors to avoid prosecution. Nevertheless, it is illegal to sell or possess synthetic marijuana in the United States.

See related story: Synthetic Pot Users In Tampa Becoming Severely, Critically Ill