Latest Ridiculous Drug Panic: NY Times Joins NYPD in Ratcheting Up Fears About 'Synthetic Marijuana'

Editor's note: The New York Times has discovered an exciting new drug panic: the use of K2, a synthetic marijuana blend, by the city's homeless population. The paper sent a reporter to Harlem to document the urban disarray supposedly unleashed by the drug, resulting in a story titled, "K2, a Potent Drug, Casts a Shadow Over an East Harlem Block."

"For those on this block who are mentally ill, the drugs seem to close off most hope of recovery," the reporter dramatically concludes. In another section of the story he describes the area as, " ... a street of zombies." Local media reports suggest that the New York City police department is cracking down on vendors and users of synthetic marijuana. 

Although there have been documented cases of adverse physical and mental reactions to the drugs, politicians and law enforcement officials are, unsurprisingly, over-hyping the threat. In an article AlterNet published earlier this month, Stefanie Jones of the The Drug Policy Alliance called out the NYPD for fear-mongering. Below, Jones debunks the myths surrounding synthetic marijuana and presents more rational approaches to problems that might arise from its use. 

The NYPD has been drumming up attention over the supposed dangers of “synthetic marijuana” – a class of cannabinoid chemicals typically sprayed over plant matter and packaged with names like “K2,” “Spice” and “Green Giant.”

Last week, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton used highly emotional language, calling it “weaponized marijuana” and saying it makes people “totally crazy,” gives them superhuman strength, and using two videos to illustrate, seems to make people run around naked.

Problem is, one of those videos wasn’t even a person on any kind of synthetic cannabinoid. As Gothamist first reported, the video was actually from a 2003 episode of the series COPS, and shows someone allegedly on PCP.

New York isn’t the only place where we’ve seen fear-mongering tactics.  Just two months ago, Washington D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier blamed the city’s increase in crime on use and sale of synthetic cannabinoids. 

So what’s the truth behind all this hype?

Various synthetic cannabinoid products are mostly being used in homeless and other vulnerable populations. This product fills their particular needs: it’s cheap, accessible, and won’t show up on drug tests given by shelters or treatment centers.

Also, many of those in homeless or other vulnerable communities are struggling with mental health issues.  Add to that the unpredictable effects of synthetic cannabinoids like K2, and you end up with a few individuals unlucky enough to have their resulting terrible drug experience happening in public spaces and filmed for all of us to watch.

No one’s saying that’s not a tough situation to walk into as a first responder.  But that’s no excuse for police forces to spread misinformation, promote hysteria, and encourage further criminalization of poor people and people who use drugs.

So – law enforcement.  Chill out.  And consider these responses:

• Education.  Shelters, treatment centers, and other organizations that work with homeless and vulnerable populations need access to accurate, non-judgmental information about synthetic cannabinoids and basic harm reduction advice like, “Don’t smoke the whole packet.  Try not to smoke every day.  Keep someone with you in case things go wrong.”
• Compassionate immediate response.  When someone is disturbing the public during a difficult drug experience, restraint is sometimes necessary – but generally not arrest or imprisonment.  Police may want to work with the local Health Departments or hospitals to adapt a model used at some psychedelic festivals: developing a temporary “mental health space” and a team to work with the people brought there.

The Zendo Project, which is the name of the service used at festivals, uses trained therapists and volunteers sit with, talk, and “hold space” for people undergoing difficult drug experiences.  Medication can be administered if necessary, but volunteers know that time and simple human compassion is generally all that’s needed for people to ride out their high and return to normal.  Adapted to a city setting, for individuals with continuing mental health and housing issues, the people can be connected with the resources they need.    

• Regulation – not criminalization.  Banning substances is actually what fuels the cycle of new synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs continually popping up.  If we want to stop or slow K2 or other synthetic cannabinoid use we should regulate marijuana, which is a safer and widely desired drug not associated with violence.  We should also follow the lead of countries like New Zealand that passed a law requiring people who produce and sell synthetic cannabinoids to show proof of health and safety testing before being allowed on the market.

Incidentally, we also need a lot more research to understand these substances.  But until that time, let’s pump the brakes on the “synthetic marijuana” freak-out and try to address the issue with science, compassion, health and human rights in mind.

Stefanie Jones is the nightlife community engagement manager for the Drug Policy Alliance.

This Piece first Appeared on the Drug Policy Alliance Blog: http://www.drugpolicy.org/blog/nypd-stop-lying-heres-how-handle-synthetic-marijuana