4th Death Linked To Fake Weed, Rat Poison In Illinois

CENTRAL ILLINOIS — A fourth death related to synthetic cannabinoids — and severe bleeding — has been confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). As of Wednesday, 155 cases of excessive bleeding linked to the drug, also known as fake weed, K2 or spice, have been reported statewide. The most recent death was a central Illinois woman in her 30s.

Prior to that, IDPH confirmed that two men — one in his 40s and the other in his 20s — had died in central Illinois. A Chicago-area man in his 20s also died. The earliest cases of fake weed-related bleeding were reported March 7. Cases have also been reported in Maryland.

“We continue to see new cases of individuals experiencing severe bleeding after using synthetic cannabinoids,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Like so many other drugs, synthetic cannabinoids are addictive and people are not able to give them up. Alternatively, they think that it won’t happen to them because they know their dealer or trust wherever they purchased the drugs. If you know someone who uses synthetic cannabinoids, tell them these are deadly products and try to help them get treatment.”

• Woman, 71, Arrested For Selling $5K Worth Of Fake Pot: Cops
  
• Feds Charge 3 Over Synthetic Weed At Chicago Mini Mart
• Bleeding Eyes, Ears Associated With Fake Weed: Illinois Health Dept.

Patients have reported coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. That's due to a chemical found in rat poison, brodifacoum, which prevents blood from clotting, resulting in severe bleeding. High doses of vitamin K, up to 30 tablets a day for up to six months, can help restore the blood’s ability to clot, IDPH said in a press release, adding:

Because of the large amount of vitamin K needed, the long duration of treatment, and costs up to thousands of dollars per patient, IDPH started discussions with key stakeholders to find a solution with no financial burden on patients. IDPH recently received a massive donation of nearly 800,000 tablets of vitamin K from the Bausch Foundation and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. This donation will allow every individual who has experienced severe bleeding to receive lifesaving treatment free of charge.

Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed on to dried plant material. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they act on the same brain cell receptors as the main active ingredient in marijuana. The health effects from using synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable, harmful, and deadly.

IDPH issued another dire warning urging residents not to use synthetic cannabinoids. If you have and have experienced severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Image via Illinois Department of Public Health