Category Archives: Synthetics

Synthetic drugs, also referred to as designer drugs or club drugs, mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, LSD, opium, and ecstasy. They are often marketed as “legal highs” and are available over-the-counter at smoke shops and many convenience stores.

Synthetic marijuana that mimics actual marijuana (K2 or Spice) are herbal mixtures sprayed with chemicals that produce effects similar to marijuana and falsely marketed as "safe," legal alternatives to actual pot. Potency can by 100 times that of marijuana. The dangerous effects are elevated blood pressure and heart rate, hallucinations, heart palpitations, increased agitation, seizures, nausea and vomiting, anxiety or panic attacks, feelings of alienation, psychotic episodes, acute kidney injury and failure, and death.

Employers should know that synthetic drugs are dangerous intoxicants, the effects of which can seriously impact workplace safety and the user's job performance. Additionally, synthetic substances are generally not detected in standard workplace drug testing panels.