Acute Kidney Injury Associated with Synthetic Cannabinoid Use - Multiple States, 2012

In Mar 2012, the Wyoming Department of Health was notified by Natrona County public health officials regarding three patients hospitalized for unexplained acute kidney injury (AKI), all of whom reported recent use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), sometimes referred to as "synthetic marijuana." SCs are designer drugs of abuse typically dissolved in a solvent, applied to dried plant material, and smoked as an alternative to marijuana. After the Wyoming Department of Health launched an investigation and issued an alert, a total of 16 cases of AKI after SC use were reported in six states. Murphy et al detail the results of the investigation, which determined that no single SC brand or compound explained all 16 cases. Toxicological analysis of product samples and clinical specimens identified a fluorinated SC previously unreported in synthetic marijuana products. A CDC editorial note is also presented.