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Synthetic Marijuana Making Local and National Headlines

Synthetic Marijuana, also known as "K-2" or "Spice" is a mixture of common herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that mirror the high of Marijuana. The synthetic product is sold as incense in head shops, tobacco stores and convenient stores. So far, twelve states have banned the sale of Synthetic Marijuana - (Kansas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky). The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that within the past year there have been over 500 cases of negative reactions to the still legal yet dangerous drug.

On the national level the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently designated certain chemicals that are present within Synthetic Marijuana to the same category that heroin and LSD are part of and further emphasizes the need to be able to test blood and urine for Synthetic Marijuana use.

On the local level- The Herald Online reported that Fort Mill, South Carolina school leaders initiated steps to ban "Spice" or "K-2" use by students on district property. Diane Dasher, a Fort Mill school board and coalition member said, "For those who decide to experiment, there are repercussions. Using the drug for a marijuana type high can render vomiting, an increased blood pressure as well as hallucinations, seizures/tremors and numbness." Dasher concluded,” There have been several deaths associated with it."

Pittsburgh based Mobile Medical Corporation (MMC) with offices nationwide, offers a vast array of compatible screening solutions designed to meet any Drug Free Workplace initiative nationwide. MMC's certified collection technicians all pass a rigorous DATIA training course. MMC partners with the largest accredited laboratories in the nation which allows us to truly be involved from start to finish on every drug test we perform for our clients. All of Mobile Medical Corporation's laboratory partners are certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to meet all strict government requirements.

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