Second case of severe bleeding tied to fake marijuana reported in Durham County

A second case of severe bleeding after the use of synthetic marijuana has been reported in Durham County.

North Carolina health officials reported the first case, also in Durham County, two weeks ago.

“This second case of severe bleeding in Durham County is evidence that these dangerous products are still out there,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a statement. “The best way to protect yourself is by not using any synthetic cannabinoids.”

Also called "fake weed," "K2" or "Spice," the drug targets the same parts of the brain as the active ingredients in natural marijuana, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

More than 200 people have suffered severe bleeding in Illinois and other states since March 2018. The North Carolina health department said the synthetic marijuana used in those cases was contaminated with brodifacoum, a poison that has been used to kill rats and mice. The patients had a bleeding condition that reduces the blood’s ability to clot.

One of the two North Carolina cases involved a product called Blue Giant, according to health officials. But products with different names have also been linked to severe bleeding conditions, and the DHHS says no synthetic marijuana product can be considered safe.

Anyone experiencing signs of unexplained bleeding should call 911.

Bleeding-condition symptoms can include unexplained bleeding gums, coughing up or vomiting of blood, blood in urine, severe bloody nose and unexplained bruising.

To report symptoms of unexplained bleeding or get answers to questions about synthetic cannabinoids, call the Carolinas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

This story was originally published June 25, 2018 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Second case of severe bleeding tied to fake marijuana reported in Durham County."