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The Trust Project

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(Provided by Gigafact.)

Yes.

Colorado is a local name in Nigeria for a group of potent synthetic cannabinoids that have been linked to hallucinations, seizures, mental health disorders and even deaths. “On Colos” was popular slang in Nigeria in 2023, used to describe someone high on the drug. 

The drug is meant to mimic the effects of cannabis, which is illegal in Nigeria.

Synthetic cannabinoids are also common in the U.S., often disguised as herbal blends or incense, and can be found in locations such as head shops and gas stations. Common names include K2, Spice, Paradise, Black Magic, Skunk and Scooby Snax. Adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids — including nausea, vomiting, anxiety, strokes and organ failure — are more severe compared with cannabis.

It is against Colorado law to use, possess or sell synthetic marijuana, and more than 40 substances used in the drug are also illegal under federal law. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one. 

See full source list below.

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The Colorado Sun partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-size fact-checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

References:

Substance use and substance use disorders in Africa: An epidemiological approach to the review of existing literature, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Oct. 19, 2022. Source link.

NDLEA arrests port terminal operator, dock worker over 1,044kg Cocaine, Colos, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Feb. 25, 2024. Source link.

Drug Fact Sheet: K2/Spice, Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration, October 2022. Source link.

‘Dey play,’ ‘Idan,’ other popular Nigerian slangs in 2023, PUNCH (Nigeria) Limited, Dec. 16, 2023. Source link.

Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-18-406.1, Colorado Legal Resources, accessed October 2024. Source link.

Type of Story: Fact-Check

Checks a specific statement or set of statements asserted as fact.

Por recently graduated from CU Boulder with a master’s degree in journalism and is interested in writing about the environment and exploring local stories. When not working on some form of writing, Por is either looking for Thai food or petting...