Synthetic pot cited in rash of overdoses

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — More than 30 people overdosed Wednesday from a suspected bad batch of “K2” synthetic marijuana at or near a city park in Connecticut. No deaths were reported, but officials said two people had life-threatening symptoms.

Most of the overdoses were on New Haven Green, a popular, historic downtown park that borders part of Yale University, and officials expected the overdose total to increase. Police said they arrested a man believed to be connected to at least some of the overdoses.

“Do not come down to the Green and purchase this K2,” city Police Chief Anthony Campbell said in an interview. “It is taking people out very quickly, people having respiratory failure. Don’t put your life in harm.”

Paramedics and police officers were stationed at the park all day as more people fell ill. Some became unconscious and others became nauseous, authorities said. Emergency responders rushed Wednesday morning to one victim as officials were giving a news conference nearby.

Police did not immediately release the name of the man who was arrested, saying they were waiting for victims to positively identify him.

Synthetic marijuana, which generally is plant material sprayed with chemicals that mimic the high from real marijuana, has been blamed for overdoses across the country.

AP/New Haven Register/ARNOLD GOLD Emergency personnel respond to more than 30 overdose reports Wednesday in a historic downtown park in New Haven, Conn.