Synthetic Cannabinoid Overdose in a 20-Year-Old Male US Soldier

ABSTRACT

  Popularity of synthetic cannabinoids among US military service members has risen over the last several years, leading to an increase in hospitalizations and legal actions stemming from its use and possession. Although synthetic cannabinoids, collectively referred to as “Spice,” are similar in structure to the active metabolites found in cannabis, significant concerns exist regarding the severity of short- and long-term medical and psychiatric sequelae. This article presents a case, in which a patient experienced severe medical and psychiatric symptoms far exceeding the severity and duration typically resulting from cannabis use.

Keywords:

• Drug use
• Spice
• synthetic cannabinoid
• US soldiers

Acknowledgments

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The views presented are those of authors, and do not represent the values or policies of the Department of Defence.