The ills of using synthetic cannabis

This photo illustration shows a collection of synthetic cannabis products that was available from Treasure Box in Onehunga. Photo / Getty

Synthetic cannabis has caused a cluster of cases of near-unconsciousness and in one person seizures, says an emergency doctor who is now warning the public of the drugs' risks.

Seventeen patients suffering the ill effects of using synthetic cannabis were brought to Waitakere Hospital's emergency department over a period of five days this month. Brought in by family, friends or ambulance, they had to be monitored for several hours until the effects of the drug started wearing off.

"Many of these patients had low levels of consciousness and were near comatose, while one patient experienced seizures," says Dr Kate Allan, associate clinical director of emergency care at the Waitemata District Health Board.

"The more typical presentations for synthetic cannabinoid use are high blood pressure, palpitations and negative effects on the mind, including anxiety and hallucinations."

"... due to the unknown composition of synthetic cannabinoids, the effects are very different to those of marijuana. We don't want people being fooled into thinking these drugs are safe - they certainly aren't worth the risk."

"We don't know the long-term or permanent effects of synthetic cannabinoids. The users of these drugs are essentially being used as lab rats, whether they realise this or not."

Separately, doctors from the Auckland City Hospital ED told an emergency medicine conference this week of a surge of ED presentations at their hospital and at Middlemore Hospital during one weekend in May of patients suffering adverse effects from smoking synthetic cannabis brands called "chocolate haze" and "black widow".

Laboratory analysis identified the types of synthetic cannabis they had been using, which were previously unseen in New Zealand. To date, more than 50 people attended the Middlemore or Auckland EDs seeking help after smoking these drugs, with effects including seizures, agitation, altered level of consciousness, hallucinations and vomiting.