Leipzig, Germany - Cannabis mysteriously laced with lead has made 19
people ill in the German city of Leipzig, police said Wednesday, issuing
a warning to drug abusers to be on their guard against tainted
marijuana. A federal police laboratory has confirmed a high level of
lead in the dried leaf, while doctors have found dangerous
concentrations in the blood of the 19 abusers.
No one knows where it came from. An inquiry has begun with an appeal to
dealers and users to have their stocks tested at the nearest police station.
Senior detective Uwe Matthias said prosecuting the users would be
"non-priority." Asked if this meant an amnesty, he said authorities
could not issue a guarantee to let them off.
The users had well over 2,000 micrograms of lead per litre of blood: the
safe level is 300 and a level of 800 presages sickness. Symptoms of lead
poisoning include cramps, abdominal pain and high blood pressure.
