Attleboro Woman Says Natural Drugs Sent Her to the Hospital

A young woman in Attleboro has repeatedly been hospitalized because of what she claims are side effects from a designer drug purchased in an Attleboro store.

The woman has asked for anonymity to protect her privacy, but wanted to share her story to let other parents and teens know about her experience and side effects of experimenting with a designer drug. 

"I have never been sick growing up and had never been in the hospital until this, and suddenly I was in the hospital at least once a week," she said. "They had to push me with pain meds because they couldn't do anything else for me."

She's talking about the results of smoking "K2," an incense spice that has been banned, has restrictions or has proposed legislation to ban it, in 20 states. K2 is unregulated in Massachusetts. 

"I made the mistake of doing K2," she said. "It gives you the same high as marijuana, but when you smoke it you can feel it burning. It burned holes in my esophagus and made me puke so bad I had to go to the hospital."

She has returned to the hospital several times and now has acid reflux and a high level of anxiety. 

Where does someone get the incense that looks like tree bark, comes in bright colors such as hot pink and blue and is labeled under several different names, including "Happy Charmin" and "Pink Panther," in Attleboro?

From  and the  convenience store. 

Nostaligics N' More said K2 was available at their store. The incense is also available at Cozy Mini Mart on West Street and until recently was available at the Station House gas station on Park Street. 

The young woman said some convenience stores don't make it known that they are selling K2. In fact, she said most of the ones she has been to require a customer to ask for it. 

"They come out with a bag, open it up and you can choose from all the different colors in the bag," she said. "They keep it under the counter."

"It shouldn't be legal," she said. While it is legal in Massachusetts, it is illegal in several other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Smokeable herbal blends, such as K2, that are marketed as legal and provide a marijuana-like high, are being made without THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The chemicals that mimic THC, however, have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human consumption, but are still being consumed. 

In fact, Joseph Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the DEA's office of diversion control, testified before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control against "K2" and other designer drugs. 

"These purportedly legitimate legal products, that are marketed as bath salts, plant food and incense, are clearly a pretense for unlawful activity," Rannazzisi said in his April 6 testimony. 

The young woman and her family came forward to share their story in hopes that it help other families who may be going through the same experience, but they also hope store owners take responsibility for what they are selling. DEA Special Agent Tony Pettigrew, who works in DEA's Boston office, agreed. 

"Obviously any company that has this on their shelves – it is their responsibility to know what is in their product," he said. "Parents need to be aware that this is not harmless incense. If your teen has bath salts or incense in their room, you should be concerned."

The gas station owner, who identified himself as "Sobie" (documents show the owner as Chaouki W. Sarkis) said he no long sells "K2," though a sign in his store says "K2-$12."

The owner said a lot of states are banning it, and because of that he can no longer get it from his distributor. 

Calls and visits to Nostalgic N' More and Cozy Mini Mart confirmed the availability of "K2."