Since March 7, 22 people in Illinois have experienced severe bleeding from their eyes and ears after using a synthetic cannabinoid also known as K2 or spice, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“Despite the perception that synthetic cannabinoids are safe and a legal alternative to marijuana, many are illegal and can cause severe illness,”Nirav D. Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health , said in a statement Tuesday. “The recent cases of severe bleeding are evidence of the harm synthetic cannabinoids can cause.”