Alumnus, Professors Highlight Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana

Two Radford University professors and an alumnus are the authors of an article explaining and identifying the potential for harm, abuse and addiction to synthetic marijuana.

Criminal justice professors Tod Burke and Stephen Owen and Radford University alumnus Roland Macher '11 researched and penned the paper. The article is available in the May 2012 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.

In addition to tackling the potential harmful effects of synthetic marijuana, the authors explain the challenges the new drug poses to legislators, medical professionals and law enforcement agencies. 

"While significantly different, marijuana and the synthetics share many similarities, including their appearance, method of consumption, euphoric-like high experienced after inhaling or ingesting, negative side effects, and the concerns of law enforcement officials regarding the dangers associated with all such substances," the authors write.

Macher, currently studying law in North Carolina, is the lead author of the paper. He researched and wrote much of the article while a student at Radford University.

The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin is published monthly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.