State health officials warn about synthetic pot; severe bleeding, deaths reported

All of the cases involved unexplained bleeding, such as coughing up blood, blood in the urine, bloody nose or bleeding gums.

The death toll in this outbreak remains at two.

Since March 10, 89 people in IL have been rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding from the eyes and ears after using a synthetic marijuana product, per a report from Gizmodo. According to the MDHHS, the deaths and severe and persistent bleeding are caused by the chemical brodifacoum, an off-white and odorless poison, a pesticide commonly used to kill rats.

"This poisoning is unique in that its effects can last weeks to months", said Dr. Jenny Lu, a toxicologist and emergency medicine physician at Chicago's Stroger Hospital.

Synthetic marijuana is extremely lucrative for retailers, who sell it illegally, said Cara Smith, chief policy officer with the Cook County sheriff's office.

However, Prather also thinks its possible that the bleeding could've been caused by a yet-to-be identified chemical that was reportedly first identified in 2012. They are sold for recreational drug use under the names K2, Spice, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, Genie, Zohai and others.

The Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy received information on Tuesday about a fake weed user who was hospitalized because of severe bleeding.

The Department of Health Services says the so-called "fake weed" is unsafe and health effects from using these products can be life-threatening. Officials said there has been one confirmed case in Wisconsin. Other interventions may be necessary depending on the severity of the poisoning.

"We're warning people to not use synthetic cannabinoids", advised Bruce Anderson, executive director of the Maryland Poison Center.

Among the patients admitted for treatment, the largest numbers came from Chicago (24) and Peoria County (24) all of which experienced severe bleeding when they were admitted. The person's current medical status was not immediately disclosed.

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