What Is Synthetic Marijuana?

What is sometimes called synthetic marijuana is actually nothing like marijuana. It is a mix of herbs and spices sprayed with unknown and harmful chemicals designed to mimic THC, the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

Synthetic drugs like Spice and K2 are often falsely advertised as “safe,” “natural” and “legal” highs. The truth is they are technically not legal and they are definitely not natural or safe.

Chemical tests have shown that the active ingredients in these drugs are synthetic chemicals with dangerous and toxic effects. Additionally, since the chemical makeup of products sold as Spice or K2 is unknown, users have no idea what chemicals they are putting into their bodies or what the effects might be. Because the herbs and spices can be sprayed unevenly, the strength of the drug can vary greatly.

Synthetic marijuana looks like dried leaves and is often sold in small, shiny plastic bags labeled “herbal incense” or “potpourri.” It is also sold in liquid form for vaping.

People often smoke it in rolled joints, pipes or e-cigarettes. Some users make it into tea or add it to brownie recipes. It has also been taken in liquid form or inhaled as vapor through the nose.

Synthetic Marijuana Street Names

• Algerian Blend
• Aroma
• Black Mamba
• Blaze
• Bliss
• Bombay Blue
• Bonsai-18
• Chaos
• Chill
• Dream
• Fake Pot
• Fake Weed
• Genie
• K2
• Lava
• Mojo
• Mr. Happy
• Mr. Smiley
• Phantom Wicked
• Red X Dawn
• Scooby Snax
• Sence
• Sensation
• Serenity
• Silent Black
• Skunk
• Smoke
• Space Diamond
• Spice
• SpicyXXX
• Spike 99
• Tai Fun
• Wicked X
• Yucatán Fire
• Zen

Updated: 2025