Cuomo seeks tougher synthetic pot regulations
Big spike in ER visits
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday called for stronger Health Department regulations to combat the sale of synthetic cannabinoids – known by street names including Spice, K2, AK-47 and Keisha Kole — in New York state.
These man-made compounds have resulted in a dramatic spike in hospital visits and poison control center calls.
Nearly 2,000 people made ill by synthetic pot were rushed to New York state hospitals in the three month period between April 1 and June 30, according to DOH. This is ten times the reported health emergencies caused by the drugs during the same time period in 2014.