Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NY State Cracks Down On Fake Weed
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jul 17, 2015
Modified Apr 5, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jul 17, 2015
Modified Apr 5, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Governor Cuomo has decided to expand regulations banning synthetic marijuana-like products, following an apparent uptick in hospitalizations from so-called fake weed.
According to a press release from Cuomo's office, the governor wants to add two new classes of compounds to the list of substances that were banned in 2012, when the state first decided to crack down on synthetic marijuana. Then, the state went up against any substance capable of the psychoactive effects of marijuana, but manufacturers have apparently managed to find the aforementioned chemical compounds, which mimic cannabis-like products and bath salts.
The state says a large number of New Yorkers have been hospitalized after smoking synthetic marijuana this year, and from April to June, officials say over 1,900 people have made fake weed-related emergency room visits. Though there's little-to-no chance smoking regular marijuana will send you to the hospital, it's hard to know what chemicals synthetic marijuana contains, which is how people get sick. Officials caution against these drugs, which are often sold as incense or potpourri—they're known by street names like Spice, K2, Green Giant, Smacked, Wicked X, AK-47, Geeked Up, Ninja, and Red Giant.
You can peruse the full list of proposed regulations here [pdf].
Tagged
fake weed
governor cuomo
synthetic marijuana
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 4:47 p.m. ET
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch planned to visit the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch planned to visit the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
NYPD still searching for man who threw burning substance on victim in East Harlem
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .