It has been considered a legal high, but federal authorities on Wednesday moved to ban a potentially potent substance that still sold in central Ohio.
The Drug Enforcement Administration regulates schedule 1 drugs, which include marijuana, ecstasy and heroin, 10TV's Danielle Elias reported.
The DEA has put K-2 on that list, described as a synthetic form of marijuana, Elias reported.
"It is an organic compound, which can produce symptoms such as dangerously high blood pressure, hallucinations and possibly seizures," said Maryhaven CEO Paul Coleman. "A drug which has no known benefit and high potential for abuse and that certainly fits K2 to a tee."
Matthew, a recovering addict who asked not to have his last name used, said that before he came
to Maryhaven for treatment, he tried K-2.
"I'm a drug addict so just something new to try," he said. "And I didn't think there'd be any
consequences for it."
K-2 was widely available at smoker's shops and other retail outlets.
"Immediately, some side effects hit me," Matthew said. "I had a bad headache and I was sitting there and started shaking. My whole body was shaking."
Now that the drug is illegal, the DEA said anyone caught selling or using the drug will face charges.
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'Legal' Substance's Effects Similar To Marijuana
