City Officials Hold Summit On Dangers Of K2, Or Synthetic Marijuana

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- City officials held a summit Monday on the dangers of synthetic marijuana, also known as "K2" and "Spice."

The Health Department and Department of Consumer Affairs joined the NYPD at the summit in Brooklyn to discuss efforts to cut demand for the sometimes deadly drug.

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The city unveiled a public awareness campaign, warning that K2 is zero percent marijuana, and 100 percent dangerous. It is aimed at reducing the supply and demand for synthetic marijuana.

"We want people to understand that this stuff has nothing to do with marijuana, it can kill and it has killed," Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett told 1010 WINS. "It's a bunch of chemicals sprayed on some leaves and you never know what you're buying."

Last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation banning the manufacturing and sale of synthetic pot, and allowing the city to revoke the license to sell cigarettes from any store that is caught selling K2.

The drug is a dangerous and sometimes poisonous mix of herbs and chemicals. The NYPD has previously said use of the drug is a crisis, and while many users enter a catatonic state, a few can turn violent.