Fake Weed Causes 38 Cases of Severe Bleeding in Illinois Over the weekend, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the affected individuals experienced coughing up blood, blood in the urine, bloody nose and other symptoms. This is the first time we've seen an outbreak of this magnitude in the area. – Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health Fake weed or synthetic cannabinoids can be purchased at gas stations, smoke shops and even online. They can contain a variety of chemicals, and users often don't know what those are, such as rat poison. There has been one confirmed death out of all 38 hospitalizations, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is working with the city and state to investigate the source.