Illinois Death Linked to Synthetic Marijuana

Less than a week after the Illinois Department of Public Health warning about "severe bleeding" from synthetic weed, Illinois reports its first fatality.

From the Illinois Department of Public Health:

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of an individual who experienced severe bleeding and reported using synthetic cannabinoids, often called Spice, K2, or fake weed. To date, IDPH has reports of 38 people in the Chicago area and in central Illinois who have experienced severe bleeding and reported using synthetic cannabinoids. All cases have required hospitalization for symptoms such as coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, and/or bleeding gums. Three of these cases have tested positive for brodifacoum, a lethal anticoagulant often used as a rodenticide, or rat poison.

Synthetic marijuana is made by spraying chemicals on dried plant material, according to the health department. The product can be smoked or sold as a liquid, or in ground leaf form, and is often found at convenience stores, gas stations, novelty shops and online. Health effects can be unpredictable.

At the time of last week's warning, around 20 people had been hospitalized for severe bleeding. That number is nearing 40 people now. Health officials are working to determine the source or sources of the synthetic weed.

You really don't want any of this stuff: