Synthetic Weed is basically an umbrella term for Research Chemical Cannabinoids sprayed onto inert plant matter. I would generally say it's not worse than Heroin but I don't keep track of all the new analog cannabinoids. I do know some of them are full agonist at cannabinoid receptor sites as where thc and weed are partial agonist at receptor sites, so there may be a higher likehood you experience bad trips and unpleasant side effects that you would not experience with normal weed.
Synthetic weed is a poor man's substitute for heroin. From what I've been able to tell, they are addicted to the low price as much as anything else, and smoke more, complaining the entire time they can't quit.
Real pot exists, and why anyone would want or trust a black market chemical substitute escapes me. But, heroin addicts sticking needles in their arms is pretty difficult to fathom as well.
Real weed is not good quality everywhere in the world. In some countries, real weed can be as unaffective as tobacco. Also they are totally different drugs with different highs.
Being physically addictive and being harmful are different things. Being harmful does not make it physically addictive. Rat poison is harmful but not physically addictive. See my point?
They market it as a substitute for weed, and to even suggest they don't is like McDonalds denying they target little kids with toys. Real weed is as good as where you live, while the whole planet is falling apart. I moved to where the weed is and the planet is falling apart a little slower. If Texas gets blown off the map, nobody I know will cry. If Chicago gets blown up, people will think it was a mercy killing. If California is flooded, they will think the fires are finally going out.
Where I live, real weed is as unaffective as tobacco because of poor quality. I dont live in the USA.
I smoked synthetic weed a few times back in 2014. You even feel like electricity comes into your body as if you are shocked by it. You hear scary sounds that dont exist. No such things would happen on real weed. Synthetic weed is a totally different drug. The only smilarity is that there is the word "weed" in it. And synthetic weed was the only synthetic illegal drug I did in my life by the way.
People use it to treat their PTSD, which is a bit like drinking rubbing alcohol to treat shaky nerves. They have my sympathy, and I wish the world were a totally different place than it is.