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   From: wrecked-um@cnn.com   
      
   Synthetic cannabis products such as K2 and “spice” are being   
   contaminated with a rat poison ingredient that threatens not   
   only people who use them, but also the blood supply as a whole,   
   the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.   
      
   Hundreds of people in 10 states have shown up in hospitals with   
   symptoms such as severe bleeding and seizures after using such   
   products, the FDA said. Officials in Washington are checking   
   into four deaths that may be linked with such products, The   
   Washington Post reported Wednesday night.   
      
   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA have   
   been warning about the dangers of these illegal synthetic   
   marijuana products.   
      
   “But despite our efforts, certain entities continue to bypass   
   state and federal drug laws by making and distributing these   
   products — often marked or labeled as ‘not for human   
   consumption’ —– and changing the structure of the synthetic   
   chemicals to try to skirt legal requirements,” the FDA said in a   
   statement.   
      
   “And in some cases, some of the producers of these synthetic   
   cannabinoids have added brodifacoum, which we have heard is   
   because it is thought to extend the duration of the drug   
   euphoria or high.”   
      
   The synthetic marijuana products are bad enough on their own,   
   the FDA said. “Generally, these products have been known to be   
   associated with adverse effects including rapid heart rate,   
   vomiting, violent behavior and suicidal thoughts, and an   
   increase in blood pressure, as well as causing reduced blood   
   supply to the heart, kidney damage, and seizures,” it said.   
      
   Adding the brodifacoum makes them worse.   
      
   “Like other rat poisons, brodifacoum interferes with blood   
   clotting,” the FDA said.   
      
   “In recent months, hundreds of individuals in about 10 states —   
   many in the Midwest — have been hospitalized after experiencing   
   such complications. Unfortunately, there also have been several   
   related deaths.”   
      
   Because brodifacoum is long-acting, it can stay in the blood for   
   weeks.   
      
   “The FDA has received several reports of (blood) donors who used   
   synthetic cannabinoids contaminated with brodifacoum,” the   
   agency said, risking the blood supply.   
      
   It said emergency rooms, doctors and first responders should be   
   aware that patients with unexplained bleeding may have used one   
   of the contaminated products. Swift use of vitamin K can save   
   lives, the FDA said.   
      
   “Individuals who have possibly used synthetic marijuana products   
   should be vigilant for signs of bleeding. These include easy   
   bruising, oozing gums and nosebleeds. People experiencing these   
   symptoms after using synthetic marijuana products should   
   immediately seek medical attention, as the effects of   
   brodifacoum are treatable,” the FDA advised.   
      
   https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/tainted-synthetic-   
   cannabis-threatens-blood-supply-fda-warns-n892851   
      
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