Study: Synthetic marijuana puts thousands in the ER

By Elise Viebeck - 12/04/12 04:28 PM ET

Synthetic marijuana put more than 10,000 people in the emergency room in 2010, according to a new federal study.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) raised concerns about the health effects of the increasingly popular drug, also known as "K2" or "Spice."

Synthetic marijuana can cause vomiting, seizures, hallucinations and paranoid behavior on a level that lands people in the hospital, officials warned.

"This report confirms that synthetic drugs cause substantial damage to public health and safety in America," said Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske in a statement.

"Make no mistake – the use of synthetic cannabinoids can cause serious, lasting damage, particularly in young people."

In all, 11,406 of the 4.9 million drug-related ER visits in 2010 involved synthetic marijuana. Most patients were men between the ages of 12 and 29.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who is behind a law that bans the drug's chemical ingredients, hailed the study Tuesday.

"This report underscores that a federal ban was right to protect public safety," Grassley said in a statement. "Anyone who might be tempted to try this drug should realize its use can end in tragedy."