News 12 Connecticut's John Craven met with experts Thursday to discuss K2, a synthetic form of marijuana that may have been the cause of dozens of recent overdoses in New Haven.

While K2 may look like marijuana, drug experts say it is far more potent and dangerous. Dr. John Douglas, of New Canaan's Silver Hill Hospital, says it's often sold as herbal incense or potpourri, but is sprayed with chemicals that can lead to an overdose.

K2 can be smoked, vaped, eaten or even drank as tea. The drug is of special concern because people can violently overdose on it, since it is difficult to know with which chemicals the drug has been synthesized.

RELATED: Police: 3 in custody after New Haven overdoses

Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez says his department made a push to get rid of K2, also known as spice, five years ago.

"So we don't see it in Bridgeport because we are always vigilant," Perez says. "Our narcotics and vice division is always looking for this."

K2 has been illegal in Connecticut since 2012, but it's hard for authorities to keep up because manufacturers keep changing the formula.

"It is very hard to predict what the response is," Douglas says.

Experts say mass overdoses, like those that occurred this week in New Haven, can actually increase demand for K2, as it shows addicts that the product is particularly strong.