Officials: Fake Weed Leaves 2 Dead in Illinois; Dozens Hospitalized

Illinois state health officials said Monday that two people have died from using tainted synthetic marijuana product; and that they’ve arrested several people connected with the sale of the K2 product laced with a toxic substance. According to the Chicago Tribune, tests on synthetic pot seized from a Chicago convenience store found it “contained toxic brodifacoum, a poison used in rodent control.” That same chemical was found in nine people who experienced severe side effects as a result of ingesting K2. Among those side effects: excessive bleeding from the eyes and ears—both effects associated with brodifacoum. Two people died over the weekend from allegedly tainted K2, while at least 56 others have been hospitalized in Illinois since March 10.