Even fake marijuana can get people in trouble: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut expelled 14 cadets for using the fake pot, Spice. Coast Guard Academy superintendent Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz told the Hartford Courant, "The use of synthetic marijuana is a troubling issue nationwide. As a military institution, we hold cadets to the highest standards of conduct and go to great lengths to ensure those standards are clearly understood and strictly enforced." She added that the cadets represent a range of ethnicities and backgrounds. more ›

Kids these days. If they're not sucking down the Four Lokos, they're rotting their teeth on pot-shaped candy instead. Say goodbye to candy cigarettes and hello to pot-shaped suckers. more ›

In yet another stop on the "kids finding marijuana substitutes that are way worse than actual marijuana" merry-go-round, a school district in Harrison, New York is preparing to warn students of the dangers of synthetic drugs labeled "incense" after four of them were disciplined for bringing it to school, CBS reports. Such substances can prompt "hallucinations, seizures," and coolness, because let's be honest: Tiffany will never like you unless you take a hit of the stuff that your grandma uses to make her bathroom smell nice. more ›

It was good mildly uncomfortable while it lasted, but synthetic marijuana knock-off "K2" is facing permanent banishment. Using its "emergency powers" yesterday, the FDA banned the sale of five chemicals which are used to make K2, Spice, and other such herbal products. First bath salts, then Jane Russell, and now K2? What will 2011 take away from us next? more ›

Back in early summer, we got a brief contact high when we heard about a legal marijuana substitute which Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice was trying to outlaw. "K2," as the synthetic marijuana is primarily known in this area, causes all the negative effects of pot, including anxiety, panic, paranoia, rapid heart rate and shortness of breath, without any of the fun, calming, goofy stuff. The American Association of Poison Control Centers said its so bad, its use has sparked nearly 2,000 calls to poison control centers this year, up from only 14 in 2009. But with colorful names such as Mr. Smiley, Posh, Spice, Genie, and Red Dragon, who would even notice a few thundering heart palpitations? more ›

We're only just hearing about this "K2" drug today, and already it's about to be made illegal! The synthetic herb is legally sold in New York as incense; when smoked K2 creates a high similar to marijuana, but without the calming effect. Symptoms can include anxiety, panic, paranoia, rapid heart rate and shortness of breath. Party! But Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice wants Albany to outlaw it. more ›