The Neosho Police Department deals with three cases of a substance mimicking marijuana in the past week, putting two girls in the hospital.
Synthetic marijuana or any item with synthetic cannabinoids was banned over a year ago in Missouri by House Bill 641. But other forms of synthetic marijuana are still available for purchase - there are over 500 brands.
Neosho Police Chief David McCracken says similar products are sold because they do not contain illicit ingredients.
It looks just like marijuana but it's a product carried in convenience stores that's labeled as incense "not for human consumption." However, some residents admit to using the substance for it's mood altering effects.
"This is not something that's going to be simple to regulate," Chief McCracken says. "We've got the legislature working hard to try to keep up with it."
Dr. David Hagedorn with Mercy Saint John's says smoking or consuming the product can lead to severe side effects, and has also lead to death in some cases.
The danger is not knowing what chemicals the substance contains.
"Side effects can include, psychosis, mental status, behavioral changes, racing heart rate, uncontrolled high blood pressure, lot and lots of anxiety," Dr. Hagedorn says.
Chief McCracken says they are working to enforce laws and educate the public about products similar to synthetic marijuana. He says it's a slippery slope since a substance must be tested first to determine if it's in violation of Missouri law.
Either way, health officials say these products are harmful and should be avoided.
