20 Synthetic Drug Overdoses Per Day Spark New Legislation

Synthetic drug overdoses sent more people to D.C. emergency rooms in September than heart attacks, car accidents or strokes, a new report shows.

Although recreational marijuana has been largely decriminalized for adults in the District, dangerous designer synthetic cannabinoids that are sold over the counter at gas stations and bodegas not only remain rampant but are causing more calls to first responders than other major medical emergencies combined.

This significant increase of synthetic drug emergencies handled by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) has sparked new legislation with stiff penalties for stores caught selling synthetic marijuana.

Read the full story.