2 Residents Nearly Die From Rat Poison-Tainted Synthetic Pot

TAMPA, FL – Two Hillsborough County residents have been hospitalized with a life-threatening condition after using the drug spice mixed tainted with rat poison.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has confirmed two cases of potentially life-threatening vitamin K-dependent antagonist coagulopathy that is associated with synthetic cannabinoid use.

Investigations into these cases found evidence of brodifacoum, a type of rat poison, in many of the patients and in the synthetic marijuana products that they had reported used.

The department advises against using all synthetic marijuana products because the effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, life-threatening.

The synthetic cannabinoids known as spice can be purchased in convenience stores, from individual drug dealers or online as incense or natural herbal products.

The potentially contaminated products have been labeled as synthetic cannabinoids, fake pot, fake weed, legal weed, spice, K-2, AK-47, Mr. Happy, Scooby Snax, Kush, and Kronic.

While symptoms may vary, they include bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, blood in urine or stool, excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, back or flank pain, altered mental status, feeling faint or fainting, loss of consciousness, or collapse.

People exhibiting these symptoms should call 911 immediately.

DOH is working with the CDC and other states to identify and investigate these cases.

Hospitals, EMS and other health-care providers have been asked to be on the lookout for other victims of the contaminated product.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health.

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