State poison control network is warning people about synthetic marijuana after hundreds were rushed to emergency rooms after they have taken spice, a synthetic marijuana substitute

In April, there were around 250 hospital visit caused by the drug in Mobile County, Ala., alone. Around 462 people were treated for complications from the drug in Cotton State during the same period.

Spice can be taken either by eating or smoking the drug.

Between April 11 and 13, 2014, 52 people were treated for problems related to taking spice in the Mobile County hospitals. One of those patients, a 60 year old male, died from complications.

Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for Mobile County said, the public should understand the problems associated with spice including kidney damage etc.

The Mobile County Health Department is considering taking civil legal action against retail establishments that sell spice.

Law enforcement believes that the drug is now even sold on streets and black market dealers.

Spice is causing great damage to the public health.

When synthetic marijuana first came to the market it was sold in packages marked with catchy brand names, this allowed police to keep of its production and distribution.

But now the drug is sold in unmarked clear plastic bags making it difficult for the police to track.

Now the drug is distributed more street level and person to person, than it was in the previous years. Police also believes that spice sold on street is not commercial grade imported from overseas but it is instead homemade, and made with any amount of chemicals at home.

In Alabama, arrest for possession of spice has risen, and thus leading police to make a thorough investigation regarding its distribution and manufacturing.

Spice can result in accelerated heart rate, nausea, hallucination, confusion, lethargy.

Spice contains cannabinoids which produces euphoria which is associated with natural marijuana.

The synthetic marijuana was developed because the federal government has prohibited marijuana is most states.

At first, manufacturers claimed that their product was made of natural herbs, and later it has become clear that they were created synthetically.

Other artificial forms of marijuana including spice can result in withdrawal symptoms and death, which is not seen in natural marijuana.