On March 1, 2011, the US Drug Enforcement Administration banned 5 synthetic compounds, making it illegal to distribute or possess them. Synthetic marijuana is a herbal smoke blend marketed under a variety of brand names; K2, K3, Spice, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Pulse, Ocean Blue, Stinger, Serenity, Hush, and many more.

There is a growing number of synthetic marijuana alternatives that are creating a disastrous effect not only in the workplace, but among our youth as well.

When smoked, the chemical-based material mimics the negative results of THC, but can be up to 100 times the potency level. Physical consequences can be tingling skin, appetite stimulation, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and frightening effects to the cardiovascular system, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Reports indicate the “high” can have psychoactive and somatic effects, including euphoria, increased alertness, restlessness, sudden mood changes liking to humor, sadness, and other emotions, severe paranoia, and reddening of the eyes, or even severe, life-threatening hallucinations.

K2 testing is a specialized urinalysis capability within only a few drug testing laboratories in the US. Applicant Information’s K2 testing is conducted through our SAMSHA-certified laboratory with accurate defensible results. 30-40 variations of the drug are tested.