An indicator of marijuana use, the perceived risk of harm is declining among U.S. 12th grader (25 to 16 percent) even as the perceived risk of using synthetic marijuana increases. The percentage of high school seniors who perceived great risk from occasional use of synthetic marijuana increased from 33% in 2012 (the first year it was included) to 39% in 2014.
A recent press release from the Monitoring the Future survey reported that the side effects of using synthetic marijuana are numerous, and may include acute psychosis and heart attack, in addition to other effects noted.
These findings are important because prior surveys have found marijuana use increases as perceived risk declines.
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