A former Odessa retailer has pleaded guilty to distributing synthetic cannabinoids, which pose serious health risks to users.
Jared William Roach, a 29-year-old former retailer, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute.
The crime occurred in May of last year when Roach possessed ‘Hysteria Black’ in his store, Smoke Alley, in Odessa, Texas.
Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as synthetic marijuana, ‘Spice,’ ‘K2,’ or ‘Kush,’ comprise a large family of chemically unrelated structures functionally similar to THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in organic marijuana.
When ingested, synthetic cannabinoids may produce less, equivalent or more psychoactive activity than THC, but often with pronounced and dangerous side-effects.
Texas poison centers report that between January 2012 and April 2014, there were 2,179 exposures to synthetic cannabinoids. The Texas Poison Center Network warns that the alarming health effects from using these drugs include severe agitation and anxiety; racing heartbeats and high blood pressure; nausea and vomiting; muscle spasm, seizure, and tremors; intense hallucinations and psychotic episodes and suicidal and other harmful thoughts and/or actions.
‘Let me be clear about this. This is not marijuana. These are chemical substances that are, to the user, completely unknown and that pose potentially serious health risks,’ stated U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman.
Defendant: Jared William Roach
Criminal charges: Possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute
City and state: Odessa, Texas
Exact date: May of last year
Sentence or outcome: Pleaded guilty
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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