Overdoses Lead Hassan to Declare State of Emergency

Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, has issued a state of emergency due to overdoses from “synthetic cannabinoid” substances including Smacked!

Use and misuse of Smacked!, which comes in a bubblegum flavor, has led nearly 50 overdoses in both cities during the last few days, according to press reports.

Generally referred to as “spice,” synthetic cannabinoids are chemically engineered substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana.

The declaration allows the Department of Health and Human Services “public health powers under RSA 21-P:53 or any other applicable statute to investigate, isolate or quarantine and require the destruction of the commodity in question,” according to spokesman William Hinkle.

“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. “In consultation with the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, public health officials in the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General’s office, I have declared a State of Emergency so that we can move quickly to stop the sale of this dangerous substance that has caused an outbreak of serious overdoses.”

According to a press statement, samples of “Crazy Monkey” and “Green Giant,” two other synthetic cannabinoids brands, have shown traces of controlled substances that are against the law.

The warning issued noted that “other brands of synthetic cannabinoids may also pose dangers for substance abuse and public health” and encouraged storeowners to remove the items from store shelves.

“It’s very important that individuals be made aware that use of this product poses serious and immediate danger to their personal health,” Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas said. “We strongly recommend the public avoid any use of this product, and we will work with local police departments as quickly as possible to put the quarantine into effect.”

Attorney General Joseph Foster added, “As we have seen in recent days in Manchester and Concord, the misuse of products like ‘Smacked!’ can cause significant and adverse health risks. Therefore, we are strongly recommending that merchants who have similar products remove them from their shelves and destroy their current inventory. Retailers that continue to knowingly sell these dangerous or illegal products are placed on notice that they could be held responsible for harm caused to a user of the product.”

The declaration will last 21 days, unless terminated earlier or extended by further order, according to the report.