CDC Report: Synthetic Marijuana Use Led to Serious Kidney Damage in 16 People
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 16 cases of acute kidney injury associated with synthetic marijuana use in 6 states last year.
According to the Feb. 15 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the cases reported came from the following states: Wyoming (4), Oregon (6), New York (2), Oklahoma (2), Rhode Island (1), and Kansas (1).
All 16 people, aged 15–33, visited emergency departments and subsequently were hospitalized. Most of them experienced nausea, vomiting, and abdominal or back pain. None of the patients reported preexisting renal dysfunction or use of medication that might have caused renal problems, but their toxicology reports indicated they had all used synthetic cannabinoid products.
Although none of the patients died, five patients required hemodialysis, a treatment to remove waste products from the blood, and four patients received corticosteroids.
The CDC report followed a recent University of Alabama at Birmingham study which reported four cases that directly linked acute kidney injury with synthetic marijuana use. UAB researchers suggested that physicians inquire about the use of synthetic marijuana when evaluating patients with acute kidney injury, especially in young adults with negative urine drug screens.
Tags: dangers of synthetic marijuana, effects of synthetic marijuana, kidney disease and synthetic marijuana use, synthetic marijuana linked to kidney injury
February 16, 2013 at 8:57 amAnonymous
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I smoke this when I can get it. Have not had kidney failure, yet. This is hype journalism at best, legalize natural drugs federally and let the states decide. Health issue: Resolved. These companies will go out of business and users will instead have a safe, natural, organic session. That's what we want right?
February 16, 2013 at 8:57 amAnonymous
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I smoke this when I can get it. Have not had kidney failure, yet. This is hype journalism at best, legalize natural drugs federally and let the states decide. Health issue: Resolved. These companies will go out of business and users will instead have a safe, natural, organic session. That's what we want right?
February 16, 2013 at 9:22 amSean Hardy Lucky-Osborne
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Best to stick with the "real" thing… LOL…
February 16, 2013 at 11:56 amTeresa Brandon Rogers
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Synthetic crap is killing us! Bring on the real deal!
February 16, 2013 at 11:56 amEven Steven
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16 cases out of tens of millions of users? I wish protein supplements, tylenol and ibuprofen had such good track records.
February 16, 2013 at 12:08 pmBob Lavoie
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Big Pham's idea of further ruining lives to make money. What a surprise!
February 16, 2013 at 12:09 pmAnonymous
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It's acute…
February 16, 2013 at 12:12 pmMichael Stransky
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The liberals will spin this as another reason to legalize weed…
February 16, 2013 at 12:39 pmKhary J. Sudan
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What do they mean calling this crap "synthetic" marijuana? Is cat piss mixed with soap bubbles synthetic beer? Why not call it synthetic tobacco for what its worth?
February 16, 2013 at 2:00 pmRobert Angel
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You have been lucky then. When it first came out the chemicals they used were not so bad. The stuff now it's just horrible. Just wait until you try to quit. Withdraws have become almost heroine like.
February 17, 2013 at 12:43 amEven Steven
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So will most conservatives. Matter of fact, it's about the only thing we agree on.
February 17, 2013 at 12:45 amEven Steven
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" Withdraws have become almost heroine (sic) like." Then it's not a functional cannabinoid analog and therefore not synthetic marijuana.