Synthetic pot grows in popularity among teens

By Staff Writer

The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (FDEA) is conducting a month-long investigation about the effects of synthetic marijuana, which has become popular among teenagers.

Fake marijuana - which is legal in most states - was developed in the mid-1990s, is marketed as an incense and some teens believe it has some of the same effects as illegal cannabis. It has been deemed illegal in 10 states.

Acting DEA chief Michele Leonhart said that the notion that synthetic marijuana is a harmful alternative to real marijuana is false. A state trooper in Pennsylvania told the news provider that fake pot is more dangerous than legitimate marijuana because many smokers of the fake brands do not know what they are getting.

The pro-marijuana Drug Policy Alliance even notes on its website that people who have tried synthetic marijuana have reported less pleasurable results than the real drug. One teenager told the media outlet that he has seen people have panic attacks after smoking the fake marijuana because they do not know how to control themselves in that state of mind.

Children who experiment with drugs or chemicals may benefit from wilderness treatment therapy. A study by the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council shows that approximately 83 percent of teens reported that their behavior and mood improved after their wilderness expedition.