Synthetic cannabis

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File:Spice drug.jpg
A bag of Spice

Synthetic cannabis is a herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of cannabis. It is best known by the brand names K2[1] and Spice[2]. When synthetic cannabis products first went on sale it was thought that they achieved an effect through a mixture of legal herbs. Laboratory analysis in 2008 showed this was not the case and that they in fact contained synthetic cannabinoids which act on the body in a similar way to cannabinoids naturally found in cannabis, such as THC. Synthetic cannabinoids, including cannabicyclohexanol, JWH-018, JWH-073, and HU-210, are used in an attempt to avoid the laws which make cannabis illegal, making synthetic cannabis a designer drug. It has been sold under various brand names, online, in head shops and at some gas stations. It is marketed as an incense or "herbal smoking blend", but the products are usually smoked by users[citation needed]. Although synthetic cannabis does not produce positive results in drug tests for cannabis, it is possible to detect its metabolites in human urine. The synthetic cannabinoids contained in synthetic cannabis products have been made illegal in many European countries, but remain legal under federal law in the USA and Canada. Several US states have made it illegal under state law.

History

According to the Psychonaut Web Mapping Research Project, synthetic cannabis products, sold under the brand name Spice first appeared in Europe in 2004.[3] The brand "Spice" was released in 2004 by the now dormant company The Psyche Deli in London, UK. In 2006 the brand gained popularity. According to the Financial Times the assets of The Psyche Deli rose from £65,000 in 2006 to £899,000 in 2007. [4] The EMCDDA reported in 2009 that ‘Spice’ products were identified in 21 of the 30 participating countries. Because 'Spice' was the dominant brand until 2009, the competing brands that started to appear from 2008 on, were also dubbed 'Spice'. Spice can therefore relate to both the brand 'Spice', as to all herbal blends with synthetic cannabinoids added. A survey of readers of Mixmag in the UK in 2009, found that one in eight respondents had used synthetic cannabis, compared to 85% who had used cannabis.[5]

Ingredients

Synthetic cannabis is claimed by the manufacturers to contain a mixture of traditionally used medicinal herbs, each of which supposedly produces mild effects with the overall blend resulting in the cannabis-like intoxication produced by the product. Herbs listed on the packaging of Spice include Canavalia maritima, Nymphaea caerulea, Scutellaria nana, Pedicularis densiflora, Leonotis leonurus, Zornia latifolia, Nelumbo nucifera and Leonurus sibiricus. However, when the product was analysed by laboratories in Germany and elsewhere, it was found that many of the characteristic "fingerprint" molecules expected to be present from the claimed plant ingredients were not present. There were also large amounts of synthetic tocopherol present. This suggested that the actual ingredients might not be the same as what was listed on the packet, and a German government risk assessment of the product conducted in November 2008 concluded that it was unclear what the actual plant ingredients were, where the synthetic tocopherol had come from, and whether the subjective cannabis-like effects were actually produced by any of the claimed plant ingredients or instead might possibly be caused by a synthetic cannabinoid drug. Upon further analysis it was reported in a German toxicology report that there were some harmful effects of Spice.[6]

Synthetic cannabinoid ingredients

In January 2009, researchers at the University of Freiburg in Germany announced that an active substance in Spice was an undisclosed analogue of the synthetic cannabinoid CP 47,497.[7] Later that month, CP 47,497 along with its dimethylhexyl, dimethyloctyl and dimethylnonyl homologues, were added to the German controlled drug schedules.[8][9] In May the analogue of CP 47,497 was named cannabicyclohexanol.[10]

In July 2010, it was announced that JWH-018 is one of the active components in at least three versions of Spice, which had been sold in a number of countries around the world since 2002, often marketed as incense.[11][12][13][14] Another potent synthetic cannabinoid, HU-210, has been reported to have been found in Spice seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.[15] An analysis of samples acquired four weeks after the German prohibition of JWH-018 took place found that the compound had been replaced with JWH-073.[16]

Different ratios of JWH-018 and CP 47,497 and their analogues have been found in different brands of synthetic cannabis[17] and manufacturers constantly change the composition of their products.[18] The amount of JWH-018 in Spice has been found to vary from 0.2% to 3%.[19]

Pharmacological properties of cannabinoids identified in synthetic cannabis, with THC for comparison
Name Structure Binding affinity for the CB1 receptor Binding affinity for the CB2 receptor
THC
150px
 Ki = 40.7±1.7 nm[20] Ki = 36.4±10 nm[20]
Cannabicyclohexanol
150px
 Ki = unknown. Reported to be 5 times more potent than THC, based on physiological responses in rats[21]
HU-210
150px
 Ki = 234 pM (100-800 times more potent)[22]
JWH-018
150px
 Ki = 9.00±5.00 nm[20] Ki = 2.94±2.65 nm[20]
JWH-073
150px
 Ki = 8.90±1.80 nm[20] Ki = 38.0±24.0 nm[20]

Safety

No official studies have been conducted on its effects on humans.[23] Though its effects are not well documented, extremely large doses may cause negative effects that are generally not noted in marijuana users, such as increased agitation and vomiting.[24] Professor John W. Huffman who first synthesised many of the cannabinoids used in synthetic cannabis is quoted as saying, "People who use it are idiots"[23] and that "It's like playing Russian roulette. You don't know what it's going to do to you."[25] A three gram package of Spice is said by one study, to have the same health effects on the lungs as a packet of cigarettes, although no conclusive evidence of this exists outside of the study.[6] A user who consumed 3 g of Spice Gold every day for several months showed withdrawal symptoms, similar to those associated with withdrawing from the use of narcotics. Doctors treating the user also noted that his use of the product showed signs associated with addiction.[26] One case has been reported where a user, who had previously suffered from cannabis induced recurrent psychotic episodes, suffered reactivation of their symptoms after using Spice. Psychiatrists treating him have suggested that the lack of an antipsychotic chemical, similar to cannabidiol found in natural cannabis, may make synthetic cannabis more likely to induce psychosis than natural cannabis.[27]

Drug testing

Spice does not cause a positive drug test for cannabis or other illegal drugs using GC-MS-screening with library search, multi-target screening by LC-MS/MS, or immunological screening procedures.[17][26] A study has been conducted into the detection of metabolites of JWH-018 in urine, the metabolites are mainly conjugates with glucuronic acid and can be reliably detected by GC–MS/MS and LC–MS/MS.[28]

Legal status

Europe

Austria
The Austrian Ministry of Health announced on 18 December 2008 that Spice would be controlled under Paragraph 78 of their drug law on the grounds that it contains an active substance which affects the functions of the body, and the legality of JWH-018 is under review.[29][30][31]
Germany
JWH-018, CP 47,497 and the C6, C8 and C9 homologues of CP 47,497 are illegal in Germany since 22 January 2009.[9][32]
Finland
Spice blends are classified as a medicine in Finland and therefore it is illegal to order them without a prescription. In practice it is not possible to get a prescription.[citation needed]
France
JWH-018, CP 47,497 (and its homologues) and HU-210 were all made illegal in France on 24 February 2009.[33]
Ireland
From June 2010, JWH-018, along with a variety of other designer drugs are illegal.[34]
Latvia
JWH-018, JWH-073, CP 47,497 (and its homologues) and HU-210 are all banned in Latvia as well as leonotis leonurus.[35]
Poland
JWH-018 and many of the herbs mentioned on the ingredient lists of Spice and similar preparations were made illegal in May 2009. The bill was passed by Polish Sejm,[36][37] Polish Senat[38] and was signed by the President.[39]
Romania
Spice was made illegal in Romania on 15 February 2010.[40]
Russia
On April 9, 2009, the Chief Medical Officer of the Russian Federation issued a resolution on reinforcing control over the sales of smoking blends. These blends, marketed under the trade names AM-HI-CO, Dream, Spice (Gold, Diamond), Zoom, Ex-ses, Yucatán Fire and others have been declared to contain Salvia divinorum, Hawaiian Wood Rose and Blue Lotus and are prohibited to be sold. These substances have been found to have "psychotropic, narcotic effects, contain poisonous components and represent potential threat for humans". The resolution does not mention JWH-018 or other synthetic cannabinoids.[41] On January 14, 2010, the Russian government issued a statement including 23 synthetic cannabinoids found in smoking blends Hawaiian Rose and Blue Lotus on the list of prohibited narcotic and psychotropic substances. Thus, all of these plants and compounds are now illegal in the Russian Federation.[42]
Slovak Republic
Spice is legal in the Slovak Republic. The National Anti-Drug Unit is considering adding it to the list of controlled substances.[43] The latest anti-drug law version (468/2009) valid since January 2010 still does not mention active compounds of Spice.[44]
Sweden
CP 47,497-C6, CP 47,497-C7, CP 47,497-C8, CP 47,497-C9, JWH-018, JWH-073 and HU-210 were all made illegal in Sweden on 15 September 2009. The bill was accepted on 30 July 2009 and was put in effect on 15 September 2009.[45]
Switzerland
Spice has been banned in Switzerland.[46]
United Kingdom
Spice was legal in the United Kingdom until December 2009, when it was classified as a Class B drug.[47]

South America

Chile
The Chilean Ministry of Health on April 24, 2009 declared the sale of synthetic cannabis to be illegal.[48]

Asia

South Korea
South Korea officially added JWH-018, CP 47,497 and HU-210 to the controlled substance list on July 1, 2009, effectively making these chemicals illegal.[49]
Japan
Japan has banned JWH-018, CP 47, 497, and homologues, and HU-210 since Oct. 2009[citation needed]

Australasia

New Zealand
Spice is currently legal in New Zealand.[50]

North America

Spice is currently legal in Canada. Health Canada is debating on the subject.[51][52] According to present status there are no Bills, nor amendments to such requesting the control of this substance all forms of JWHxxx are still uncontrolled in Canada as of June 3, 2010.[53]

United States

See also: JWH-018#United States

Some forms of synthetic cannabis (HU-210) are currently scheduled in the USA under federal law while others are not (JWH-073).[54][55][56] The Drug Enforcement Agency considers it to be a "drug of concern".[57] Several states have passed acts making it illegal under state law however, including Kansas in March 2010,[58] Georgia and Alabama in May 2010,[59][60] Tennessee and Missouri in July 2010,[61][62] Louisiana in August 2010, and Mississippi in September 2010. An emergency order was passed in Arkansas in July 2010, banning the sale of synthetic cannabis.[63] According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, several other states are also considering legislation, including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, and Ohio.[62] Illinois passed a law on July 27, 2010 banning all synthetic cannabinoids that goes into effect January 1, 2011.[64]

Following cases in Okinawa and Japan involving the use of synthetic cannabis by Navy Army and Marine personnel resulted in the official banning of it,[65] a punitive general order issued on January 4, 2010 by the Commander Marine Corps Forces, Pacific prohibits the actual or attempted possession, use, sale, distribution or manufacture of synthetic cannabis as well as any derivative, analogue or variant of it.[66] On June 8, 2010, the U.S. Air Force issued a memorandum that banned the possession and use of Spice, or any other mood-altering substance, among its service members.[67]

References

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External links

eo:Spico (drogo) it:Spice (droga) pl:Spice (substancja) ru:Spice (курительная смесь)

sv:Spice (drog)
  1. ↑ http://www.newsweek.com/2010/03/03/fake-pot-panic.html
  2. ↑ http://scienceblogs.com/terrasig/2010/02/k2_spice_jwh018_marijuana.php
  3. ↑ Spice Report Psychonaut Web Mapping Research Project
  4. ↑ "The story of Spice". Financial Times. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2010-9-19.  Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  5. ↑ Winstock, A.; Mitcheson, L.; Deluca, P.; Davey, Z.; Corazza, O.; Schifano, F. (2010). "Mephedrone, new kid for the chop?". Addiction (Abingdon, England): no. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03130.x. PMID 20735367.  edit
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "BfR rät vom Konsum der Kräutermischung „Spice" ab" (PDF) (in German). 24 November 2008. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  7. ↑ Hauptwirkstoff von "Spice Girl" identifiziert. W was here. January 19, 2009 (German)
  8. ↑ "Modedroge "Spice" ist verboten! (German)". Bmg.bund.de. 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 BGBl I Nr. 3 vom 21.01.2009, 22. BtMÄndV vom 19. Jan 2009, S. 49–50.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
  11. ↑ "Gefährlicher Kick mit Spice (German)". Fr-online.de. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  12. ↑ "Erstmals Bestandteile der Modedroge „Spice" nachgewiesen (German)". Haz.de. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  13. ↑ "Spice enthält chemischen Wirkstoff (German)". Badische-zeitung.de. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  14. ↑ Schifano, F.; Corazza, O.; Deluca, P.; Davey, Z.; Di Furia, L.; Farre', M.; Flesland, L.; Mannonen, M.; Pagani, S. (2009). "Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products". International Journal of Culture and Mental Health. 2: 137. doi:10.1080/17542860903350888.  edit
  15. ↑ “Spice” - Plant material(s) laced with synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoid mimicking compounds (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)
  16. ↑ Lindigkeit, Rainer; Boehme, A; Eiserloh, I; Luebbecke, M; Wiggermann, M; Ernst, L; Beuerle, T (30 October 2009). "Spice: A never ending story?". Forensic science international. Forensic Science International. 191 (1): 58–63. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.06.008. PMID 19589652. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Auwärter, V.; Dresen, S.; Weinmann, W.; Müller, M.; Pütz, M.; Ferreirós, N. (2009). "'Spice' and other herbal blends: harmless incense or cannabinoid designer drugs?". Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS. 44 (5): 832–837. doi:10.1002/jms.1558. PMID 19189348.  edit Free version
  18. ↑ Emanuel, C. E. J.; Ellison, B.; Banks, C. E. (2010). "Spice up your life: screening the illegal components of 'Spice' herbal products". Analytical Methods. 2: 614. doi:10.1039/c0ay00200c.  edit
  19. ↑ Stafford, Ned. Synthetic Cannabis Mimic Found in Herbal Incense. Royal Society of Chemistry: Chemistry World. 2009-01-15. Accessed: 2010-06-17
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Aung, M. M.; Griffin, G.; Huffman, J. W.; Wu, M. J.; Keel, C.; Yang, B.; Showalter, V. M.; Abood, M. E.; Martin, B. R. (2000). "Influence of the N-1 alkyl chain length of cannabimimetic indoles upon CB1 and CB2 receptor binding". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 60 (2): 133. doi:10.1016/S0376-8716(99)00152-0. PMID 10940540.  edit
  21. ↑ Compton, DR; Johnson, MR; Melvin, LS; Martin, BR (1992). "Pharmacological profile of a series of bicyclic cannabinoid analogs: classification as cannabimimetic agents". The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. 260 (1): 201–9. PMID 1309872.  edit
  22. ↑ Devane, WA; Breuer, A; Sheskin, T; Järbe, TU; Eisen, MS; Mechoulam, R (1992). "A novel probe for the cannabinoid receptor". Journal of medicinal chemistry. 35 (11): 2065–9. doi:10.1021/jm00089a018. PMID 1317925.  edit
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Fake pot that acts real stymies law enforcement". Associated Press. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  24. ↑ Jeanna Bryner (2010-03-03). "Fake Weed, Real Drug: K2 Causing hallucinations in Teens". LiveScience. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  25. ↑ http://www.livescience.com/health/fake-marijuana-k2-hallucinations-100303.html
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Zimmermann, U.; Winkelmann, P.; Pilhatsch, M.; Nees, J.; Spanagel, R.; Schulz, K. (2009). "Withdrawal phenomena and dependence syndrome after the consumption of "spice gold"". Deutsches Arzteblatt international. 106 (27): 464–467. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2009.0464. PMC 2719097 Freely accessible. PMID 19652769.  edit
  27. ↑ Müller, H.; Sperling, W.; Köhrmann, M.; Huttner, H.; Kornhuber, J.; Maler, J. (2010). "The synthetic cannabinoid Spice as a trigger for an acute exacerbation of cannabis induced recurrent psychotic episodes". Schizophrenia research. 118 (1-3): 309–310. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2009.12.001. PMID 20056392.  edit
  28. ↑ Sobolevsky, T.; Prasolov, I.; Rodchenkov, G. (2010). "Detection of JWH-018 metabolites in smoking mixture post-administration urine". Forensic science international. 200 (1-3): 141–147. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.04.003. PMID 20430547.  edit
  29. ↑ "Kräutermischung "Spice": Gesundheitsministerium stoppt Handel, 18 December 2008". Derstandard.at. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  30. ↑ (AFP) (2008-12-18). "Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice'". Google.com. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  31. ↑ "Gesundheitsministerium setzt Maßnahme zum Verbot von "Spice"". Bmgfj.gv.at. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  32. ↑ "Betäubungsmittelrecht: Modedroge Spice wird per Eilverordnung verboten". Spiegel.de. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  33. ↑ "Arrêté du 24 février 2009 modifiant l'arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants". Journal Officiel De La République Française. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  34. ↑ "Move on head shops 'not enough' - The Irish Times - Wed, Mar 03, 2010". The Irish Times. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  35. ↑ "Noteikumi par Latvijā kontrolējamajām narkotiskajām vielām, psihotropajām vielām un prekursoriem". Likumi.lv. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  36. ↑ http://orka.sejm.gov.pl/Druki6ka.nsf/wgdruku/1547
  37. ↑ mm, PAP (2009-02-12). "Sejm za delegalizacją 'dopalaczy'". Wiadomosci.gazeta.pl. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  38. ↑ "Senat poparł ustawę zakazującą handlu "dopalaczami" - Wiadomości - WP.PL". Wiadomosci.wp.pl. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  39. ↑ http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=26543130
  40. ↑ "OUG 6/2010 pentru modificarea si completarea Legii nr. 143/2000 privind prevenirea si combaterea traficului si consumului ilicit de droguri si pentru completarea Legii nr. 339/2005 privind regimul juridic al plantelor, substantelor si preparatelor stupefiante si psihotrope. Ordonanta de urgenta nr. 6/2010". Dreptonline.ro. 2000-08-03. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  41. ↑ "О запрещении реализации продукции с содержанием шалфея предсказателей, гавайской розы и голубого лотоса". Rospotrebnadzor.ru. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  42. ↑ "Постановление от 31 декабря 2009 г. № 1186 О внесении изменений в некоторые постановления Правительства Российской Федерации по вопросам, связанным с оборотом наркотических средств". Government.ru. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  43. ↑ "Po ketamíne by sa mala zakázať bylinná zmes Spice". SME.sk. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  44. ↑ http://www.zbierka.sk/zz/predpisy/default.aspx?PredpisID=209298&FileName=zz2009-00468-0209298&Rocnik=2009&#xml=http://www.zbierka.sk/zz/predpisy/default.aspx?HitFile=True&FileID=492&Flags=160&IndexFile=zz2009&Text=omamn%C3%BDch
  45. ↑ "Regeringen förbjuder nätdrogen "Spice" from the website of the Government Offices of Sweden". Regeringen.se. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  46. ↑ Adams, Stephen (13 February 2009). "Teens in Britain getting legally high on synthetic cannabis banned across Europe". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 August 2009. 
  47. ↑ "'Legal high' drugs banned in UK". BBC News. 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2010-05-23. 
  48. ↑ "Chile prohibe uso de spice, La Nacion 24 de Abril 2009". Lanacion.cl. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  49. ↑ 최연희 (2 July 2009). "1일부터 '5-메오-밉트' 등 향정신성의약품 지정" (in Korean). 헬스코리아뉴스. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  50. ↑ Published: 5:36AM Sunday January 11, 2009 (2009-01-11). "Concerns about the sale of a legal cannabis substitute | HEALTH News". Tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  51. ↑ "Ian Bussières : Le spice: la capitale craque pour les «herbes magiques» | Société". Cyberpresse.ca. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  52. ↑ "Une pilule une petite granule : Le Spice, un substitut au cannabis ?". Pilule.telequebec.tv. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  53. ↑ "Consolidated Index of Drugs and Substances". Isomerdesign.com. 2010-04-24. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  54. ↑ "HU-210". USDOJ.gov. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
  55. ↑ "JWH-073". USDOJ.gov. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
  56. ↑ "Drug Scheduling from the US Drug Enforcement Administration website". Justice.gov. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  57. ↑ Donna Leinwand (24 May 2010). "Places race to outlaw K2 'Spice' drug". USA Today. Retrieved 26 July 2010. 
  58. ↑ The Associated Press. How major issues fared in Kansas Legislature. CNBC. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23
  59. ↑ Simmons, Andria (2010-05-24). "Governor signs bill to outlaw synthetic marijuana". ajc.com. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  60. ↑ May 20, 2010 (2010-05-20). "Alabama Coalition Gets Salvia and K2 Banned in Their State". CADCA. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  61. ↑ Haas, Brian. 'K2', 'K3' synthetic drugs are illegal in TN starting July 1. The Tennessean. 2010-05-30. Accessed: 2010-06-17
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/us/11k2.html?src=me
  63. ↑ Gavin Lesnick (2 July 2010). "Beebe signs emergency ban on K2". Arkansas Online. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 26 July 2010. 
  64. ↑ Daniel Martynowicz. "Illinois Bans Synthetic Cannabinoids". Retrieved 14 September 2010. 
  65. ↑ Allan, David; Fisher, Cindy. Ruling Clarifies 'Legal' Drug Policy. Stars and Stripes via Military.com. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23
  66. ↑ Marines Ban Spice Drug. Military.com. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23
  67. ↑ "Air Force officials ban use and possession of spice, mood-altering substances. Air Force News. 2010-06-17. Accessed: 2010-06-18". Af.mil. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
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