Although synthetic cannabinoids are
Bath salts are illegal in some states, but the penalties are weak and not as strong as traditional street drugs.
becoming illegal in some states, it still re- mains legal in many others. Tere are tests that can detect synthetic cannabinoids, but not all industries or workplaces require the test. I have run across some people that are mandated by DOT to submit to regular drug testing. Tey have openly admited that they use synthetic cannabinoids so that they can get high without worrying about testing positive during a drug test. Synthetic cannabinoids can be pur-
chased in local head shops, liquor stores, gas stations and over the Internet and cost anywhere from $8 to $30 per gram. Users smoke the substance in a marijuana pipe or in a joint or blunt. Signs and symptoms of influence include anxiety, hallucinations, vomiting, increased agitation, body tem- perature changes, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, and tachycardia. Dilated pupils may also be present. Tolerance and addiction does develop over time. Tere have been some notable incidents
with people high on synthetic cannabi- noids. One example is a man in Miami, FL who was shot and killed by police aſter they came upon him eating the face of a man on the ground. It was initially blamed on the suspect’s use of bath salts. It was later determined that he was not using bath salts, but was actually using synthetic cannabi- noids. Tere have also been a few incidents around the nation where truck drivers have caused fatal traffic collisions while under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids.2 Synthetic cannabinoids are almost
always sold in colorful packaging that are press lock sealed. Te synthetic cannabi- noids are sprayed on vegetative mater that has an appearance to cut grass that has been dried out. It does not smell like cannabis.
Synthetic cannabinoids 54 datia focus
Bath Salts “Bath salts” is a slang term for synthetic cathinones such as Mephedrone and methylenedioxypryrovalerone (MDPV). Tese aren’t the bath salts that you would
buy at Bath and Body Works in the mall. However, synthetic cathinones do have an appearance that is similar to real bath salts like Epsom salt. Packaging in which bath salts are sold in are similar to those that contain synthetic cannabinoids and cost anywhere from $20 to $50 per package. Each package contains anywhere from just under one gram to a few grams. Users typically snort bath salts, but there have been reports of users swallowing them and injecting them. When people are under the influence
of bath salts, they will have signs and symptoms similar to other CNS Stimulant drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine. Tis would include dilated pupils that have a minimal reaction to light, rapid pulse, sweating and bizarre behavior. Te people I have observed under the influence of bath salts are difficult, some violent and some hallucinate. Bath salts are illegal in some states, but
the penalties are weak and not as strong as traditional street drugs. An example is California, where it is illegal to sell some bath salts, but not all. Bath salts are illegal in some states, but the penalties are weak and not as strong as traditional street drugs. An example is California, where it is illegal to sell some bath salts, but not all. Posses- sion and consumption is still not illegal. People who use bath salts are typically
current stimulant abusers who are trying to avoid arrest by switching to a drug that has less legal penalties than methamphetamine or cocaine or are trying to avoid detection in mandated drug testing programs.
Phenethylamines & Tryptamines Phenethylamines and Tryptamines are hallucinogenic stimulants that cause a high similar to MDMA, or Ecstasy. Tey have become commonplace among users seeking a new alternative high. Many of the drugs in this category are completely legal. Some examples of these types of
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