It is a substance that is getting the attention of state health officials and lawmakers: incense that can give you a marijuana-like high. It can also cause serious health problems, such as seizures, hallucinations, even a heart attack.
One version of these herbal blends, sold as potpourri or incense, is called K2. It is also called Spice, Drolle, Genie, Space and Black Mamba.
It is a blend of different herbs and spices sprayed with a synthetic version of THC, the stuff in marijuana that gets people high. It will not show up in a drug test.
Since it is legal, teens are buying it and smoking it, but that could soon get you fines, even possible jail time in Cedar Park, if a ban is approved by the city council.
K2 is sold in shops across Texas. It comes in packets and jars, and it is clearly labled not for human consumption.
“January through last week the Texas Poison Centers have received 186 calls about exposures to K2, “ said Matt Forrester with the State Health Department. “It's not regulated; there's no standardization of the amounts in these products. So basically, you don't know what you're taking.”
Aaron Blackwelder smokes K2 and says he enjoys the legal high, but understands it comes with a risk.
“It's been the exact same as smoking marijuana. It's no different,” Blackwelder said. “One of my friends actually had to be hospitalized over a certain type he did take or smoke. It was pretty bad. It was serious.”
Texas health officials now believe K2 might have contributed to the death of 19-year-old Dominique Tate. The Dallas medical examiner is waiting on toxicology reports.
Cedar Park officials say they have not had reports of anyone using K2 or other substances like it in their city, yet.
“Just because we don't have a problem now doesn't mean there couldn't be one in the future, so we're trying to be preemptive before it becomes a dangerous situation, “ spokeswoman Melanie Carr said. “If the ordinance goes through, they could be looking at charges if they're found in possession or use of it. They could face a fine of up to $2,000.”
Carr says the ban on K2 could be in place by Sept. 9.
A number of Texas cities including Dallas, Frisco, Longview and Cleburne have already banned K2, and other cities are considering the move as well.
State Senator Florence Shapiro says during the upcoming legislative session, she will work to have the herbal blends banned statewide.
