City leaders and community activists gather to rally against the sale and use of synthethic marijuana.
The National Action Network hosted the event to raise awareness about the drug.
They want stricter regulations and punishments for those who manufacture the substance that is often sold under the name K2.
"K2 is just sort of leaves and some kind of vegetable compound on which these chemicals are applied. And we don't know what they are, they can be anything. Even when you have a favorite brand, geek or whatever, it can vary from batch to batch. There are absolutely no controls over what is put into these products," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett.
Last year, the state saw an average of 300 hospital visits per week related to synthetic marijuana use.
There were also 16 deaths nationally.