Navy concerned about synthetic marijuana

WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy says it's concerned about widespread and increasing use of a synthetic drug known as Spice.

A release written by two psychiatry residents at the San Diego Naval Medical Center said the facility treated 15 service members between August and December 2010 for Spice-related problems, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Tuesday.

Problems associated with Spice include hallucinations, paranoia and debilitating confusion, often lasting for days, the doctors said.

In July 2009, 15 Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington were discharged for Spice use, leading to a Navy-wide ban on the drug in March 2010. Seven students using Spice were discharged from the U.S. Naval Academy in January.

The drug, sometimes referred to as fake marijuana, was legally available in head shops and other establishments until March 1, when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration named it a controlled substance in an emergency action also affecting civilians.