New York ( CNN ) New York state authorities have issued a health alert following a dramatic spike in hospital visits for synthetic marijuana-related emergencies . Gov . Andrew Cuomo said Friday that more than 160 patients in nine days have been rushed to hospitals across the state for adverse reactions to synthetic cannabinoid , known as `` spice '' or `` K2 . '' `` Spice '' and other similar synthetic drugs are often marketed as legal plant material coated with chemicals that are supposed to mimic the effects of marijuana , according to a statement from the governor 's office . `` Since the exact compounds contained in synthetic cannabinoid products change so frequently , it 's often impossible for users to know exactly what they are putting in their body , '' acting New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said . Symptoms after use have a wide range of severity , from confusion , drowsiness and headaches to increased heart rate , seizures and loss of consciousness , according to the New York State Department of Health . Synthetic marijuana is popular among teens because it is marketed as incense or natural products to `` mask its true purpose , '' the health department statement said . `` Young people may be fooled into thinking that these substances are safe because they are sold over the counter or are in colorful packaging , but they are not made for human consumption , '' New York Alcohol and Substance Abuse Service s Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez Sanchez said . `` They are dangerous and can have significant , long-term effects on the brain . '' The recent surge is not isolated in New York ; other states across the country have noticed similar trends . Alabama Department of Public Health issued a statement last week acknowledging a rise of synthetic marijuana usage and said there had been 98 overdoses suspected to be linked with `` spice '' in the previous month . Mobile County alone has seen seven cases in 2015 so far , more than the entire previous year , the statement said . Mississippi health officials are also concerned that synthetic marijuana is on the rise . Ninety-seven cases over an eight-day span in April were reported to the Mississippi Poison Control Center , a Department of Health press release said .
marijuana reports 160 hospitalizations related to synthetic New York . Gov . Andrew Cuomo issued a health alert .