Severe Illness Associated with Reported Use of Synthetic Marijuana — Colorado, August–September 2013

On August 30, 2013, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was notified by several hospitals of an increase in the number of patients visiting their emergency departments with altered mental status after using synthetic marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is dried plant material sprayed with various synthetic cannabinoids and smoked as an alternative to smoking marijuana. The results of CDC's epidemiologic investigation to characterize the outbreak, determine the active substance and source of the synthetic marijuana product, and prevent further morbidity and mortality are presented.