The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked 16 cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the United States with the use of synthetic cannabinoids — or synthetic marijuana, according to a new report.
The Feb. 15 edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report notes that the cases spread across six states, including four incidents in Wyoming, six in Oregon, two in New York, two Oklahoma and one each in Rhode Island and Kansas.
The patients —15 males aged 15-33 and one 15-year-old female — were taken to emergency departments after complaining of nausea and vomiting within days or hours of synthetic marijuana use. Twelve also reported abdominal, flank, and/or back pain, and none had preexisting renal dysfunction or used medications associated with renal problems. All were hospitalized.