Fake Pot Wrecked Teen’s Brain

According to recent reports from CNN.com, Houston-area teenager, 16-year-old, Emily Bauer, was hospitalized after ingesting a lesser-known form of marijuana. 

The Texas student went into a coma after purchasing a form of synthetic weed packaged as "potpourri" for her and friends at a local gas station. She ended up in the ICU for two weeks following use of the substance.

Synthetic marijuana-sold under other names including the K2 and Spice brands-is typically a blend of herbal mixtures that when created, shows similar affects to cannabis, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Though labeled "not for human consumption," people often buy the substance for its psychoactive effects. Reports estimate that this type of marijuana could pose a dangerous health threat, with the synthetic stuff sending approximately 11,406 people to the ER in 2010 alone.

While this pales in comparison to the amount of the original Mary Jane-related cases that same year resulting in ER visits-461,028-it's a cause for growing concern, especially among younger generations. One-third of the people who went to the hospital due to ingestion of synthetic marijuana were between the ages of 12 and 17, while another 35 percent were individuals aged 18 to 24. 

Still, for some, there is a happy ending. As Bauer just began eating solid foods again two weeks ago, she's on her way to recovery. And, her family is starting a nonprofit organization called Synthetic Awareness For Emily. Their goal, they said, is to safely educate families, doctors and teachers about the dangers and warning signs about synthetic marijuana use. Hopefully this will help others turn away from this and similar substances.