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K2 popularity and uncertainty prompts legislative concern
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Local authorities are now catching up with a drug-related substance that area teens have reportedly known about for a few months. It's called K2 and represents itself as a synthetic form of marijuana. Increased popularity has been skyrocketing particularly in the Johnson and Douglas county areas. Legislative officials, highly concerned about resulting dangers from abuse, are attempting to gain control over the legal fate of this mysterious herbal concoction.
K2 is purchased in the form of herbal incense and is normally smoked using a pipe or a bong. Two synthetic cannabinoids, JWH-018 and JWH-023, found to be in K2, closely resemble the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana.
Although it can be purchased in four different variations, authorities report that K2 Blonde and K2 Summit have been the most popular locally. K2 Summit is said to be the strongest of these four varieties.
Sources describe K2 effects as a more intense high when compared to marijuana. It comes on strong as well as quickly and lasts for an average of 45 minutes. When the effects begin wearing off, users describe a sudden awareness of extreme exhaustion and/or hunger.
Little is still known about the long term effects of this herbal substance. This, combined with the intensity, tends to make teens quite nervous about using it on a regular basis. The legality issue appears to be the deciding factor. One area high school student explained, "Although I prefer the high I get from smoking weed, it's an illegal substance. If I had my choice, I'd much rather smoke weed over K2."
The fact that K2 is currently legal is a very frustrating issue for area court officials. The synthetic ingredients can cause a drug test to appear abnormal. Yet as long as K2 is legal in this area, court officials are not authorized to place punitive sanctions on the user. The unknown facts about K2 as well as it's similarities to marijuana, which make it highly attractive for recreational abuse, have also caused serious concern among those specializing in substance abuse treatment.
Johnson County officials are carefully creating a proposal with the intent to eventually overturn the legal status in Kansas. Until then, the controversial frenzy surrounding K2 will proceed in limbo with risk-taking teens, professionals and authorities alike fearing the dangerous potential while a Lawrence resource continues to flourish in sales and popularity from media attention as well as young referrals.
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