In the mid-ninties, a professor at Clemson University developed a synthetic version of THC. Batches of the chemical have been made ever since and sprayed on herbs and flowers for sale. Although marijuana is illegal, mainly because of the effects of THC on humans, K2 is completely legal in North Carolina, and many other states in the U.S. Raleigh area stores offer the product and it is readily available to students. Because it is legal, students should be free to use it at their own discretion, but they should also be informed about the product.

Marijuana has many arguable beneficial and deleterious effects, and students should be aware K2 has room to have the same effects. According to the Police Blotter entry on Sept. 17, a student in Wood Hall was taken to the ER due to a seizure caused by smoking K2. There have been warnings to people who have a tendency to have seizures to avoid using K2, but the healthy population’s health could be in jeopardy as well. Testing in mice has not yielded anything, but campus and federal authorities have said more research is needed to say anything definitive. With this in mind, students should be wary as they use K2.

If students do choose to use K2, they should use it responsibly. Use it in moderation and remain in control of their decisions and actions. Reports have said the product limits inhibitions and on some occasions made users delirious. Students should aim to be in a safe environment when using K2.

Students do not have to go out and buy some just because it is available. After long period of time it is said to be just as addictive and unhealthy as smoking cigarettes. With this in mind, students should make a decision about the future of their health and trust themselves to look out for themselves in the future. They should also consider the steps the University administration may take if students start abusing K2 and it becomes detrimental to the learning environment.

Since K2 is readily available, students are bound to use it, however they should be aware of the effects of the product and the fact there is still research being done on the ingredients. Students should be cautious and informed before they choose to use, but should also be free to choose.