View source for Synthetic cannabis

[[File:Spice drug.jpg|thumb|A bag of Spice]]
'''Synthetic cannabis''' is a herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]. It is best known by the brand names '''K2'''<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/2010/03/03/fake-pot-panic.html</ref> and '''Spice'''<ref>http://scienceblogs.com/terrasig/2010/02/k2_spice_jwh018_marijuana.php</ref>. 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 [[cannabinoid]]s 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 shop]]s 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|date=September 2010}}. Although synthetic cannabis does not produce positive results in [[drug test]]s 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.<ref>[http://194.83.136.209/documents/reports/Spice.pdf Spice Report] Psychonaut Web Mapping Research Project</ref> 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. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1721e2da-f8a0-11dd-aae8-000077b07658.html |publisher=Financial Times |title= The story of Spice |date= 2009-02-13 |accessdate= 2010-9-19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03130.x}}</ref>

==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 rosea|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.<ref name=bfr>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/216/bfr_raet_vom_konsum_der_kraeutermischung_spice_ab.pdf |title=BfR rät vom Konsum der Kräutermischung „Spice“ ab |format=PDF |date=24 November 2008 |language=German |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>

===Synthetic cannabinoid ingredients===
In January 2009, researchers at the [[University of Freiburg]] in Germany announced that an active substance in Spice was an undisclosed [[analog (chemistry)|analogue]] of the synthetic cannabinoid [[CP 47,497]].<ref>[http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2009/pm.2009-01-19.19/ Hauptwirkstoff von "Spice Girl" identifiziert. W was here.] January 19, 2009 (German)</ref> Later that month, CP 47,497 along with its dimethylhexyl, dimethyloctyl and dimethylnonyl [[Homology (chemistry)|homologues]], were added to the German controlled drug schedules.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bmg.bund.de/cln_110/nn_1168258/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2009/pm-21-01-09.html?__nnn=true |title=Modedroge "Spice" ist verboten! (German) |publisher=Bmg.bund.de |date=2009-03-10 |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref><ref name=BGBL_vom_090119>[http://www.bgblportal.de/BGBL/bgbl1f/bgbl109s0049.pdf BGBl I Nr. 3 vom 21.01.2009, 22. BtMÄndV vom 19. Jan 2009,  S. 49–50].</ref> In May the analogue of [[CP 47,497]] was named [[cannabicyclohexanol]].<ref name="pmid20117892">{{Cite journal|author=Uchiyama N, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Ogata J, Goda Y |title=Chemical analysis of synthetic cannabinoids as designer drugs in herbal products |journal=Forensic Science International |volume=198 |issue=1-3 |pages=31–8 |year=2010 |month=May |pmid=20117892 |doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.01.004 |url=}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fr-online.de/frankfurt_und_hessen/nachrichten/frankfurt/1646010_Gefaehrlicher-Kick-mit-Spice.html |title=Gefährlicher Kick mit Spice (German) |publisher=Fr-online.de |date= |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haz.de/newsroom/wissen/zentral/wissen/art680,757107# |title=Erstmals Bestandteile der Modedroge „Spice“ nachgewiesen (German) |publisher=Haz.de |date= |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.badische-zeitung.de/nachrichten/panorama/spice-enthaelt-chemischen-wirkstoff--9211606.html |title=Spice enthält chemischen Wirkstoff (German) |publisher=Badische-zeitung.de |date= |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite doi|10.1080/17542860903350888}}</ref> Another potent synthetic cannabinoid, [[HU-210]], has been reported to have been found in Spice seized by [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]].<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/forensicsci/microgram/mg0309/mg0309.html “Spice” - Plant material(s) laced with synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoid mimicking compounds] (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Spice: A never ending story?|first7=T|last7=Beuerle|first6=L|last6=Ernst|first5=M|last5=Wiggermann|first4=M|last4=Luebbecke|first3=I|journal=Forensic science international|last3=Eiserloh|volume=191|first2=A|issue=1|pages=58–63|last2=Boehme|date=30 October 2009|publisher=Forensic Science International|pmid=19589652|doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.06.008|author=Lindigkeit, Rainer|postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>

Different ratios of JWH-018 and CP 47,497 and their analogues have been found in different brands of synthetic cannabis<ref name="JMS">{{cite doi|10.1002/jms.1558}} [http://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?A=ShowDoc1&ID=7470 Free version]</ref> and manufacturers constantly change the composition of their products.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1039/c0ay00200c}}</ref> The amount of JWH-018 in Spice has been found to vary from 0.2% to 3%.<ref name="ned">[http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/January/15010901.asp Stafford, Ned. Synthetic Cannabis Mimic Found in Herbal Incense. Royal Society of Chemistry: Chemistry World. 2009-01-15. Accessed: 2010-06-17]<!-- Archived  by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/5qYF7piMl --></ref>

{|class="wikitable" border="1"
|+Pharmacological properties of cannabinoids identified in synthetic cannabis, with THC for comparison
! Name
! Structure
! [[Receptor_binding#Receptor.2FLigand_binding_affinity|Binding affinity]] for the [[Cannabinoid receptor type 1|CB<sub>1</sub> receptor]]
! Binding affinity for the [[CB2 receptor|CB<sub>2</sub> receptor]]
|-
| [[THC]]
| [[Image:Tetrahydrocannabinol.svg|center|150px]]
| K<sub>i</sub> = 40.7±1.7&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung>{{cite doi|10.1016/S0376-8716(99)00152-0}}</ref>
| K<sub>i</sub> = 36.4±10&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung/>
|-
| [[Cannabicyclohexanol]]
| [[Image:Cannabicyclohexanol.png|center|150px]]
| K<sub>i</sub> = unknown. Reported to be 5 times more potent than THC, based on physiological responses in rats<ref>{{cite pmid|1309872}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[HU-210]]
| [[Image:HU-210 structure.png|center|150px]]
| K<sub>i</sub> = 234 pM (100-800 times more potent)<ref name="pmid1317925">{{Cite pmid|1317925}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[JWH-018]]
| [[Image:JWH-018.svg|center|150px]]
| K<sub>i</sub> = 9.00±5.00&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung/>
| K<sub>i</sub> = 2.94±2.65&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung/>
|-
| [[JWH-073]]
| [[Image:JWH-073.svg|center|150px]]
| K<sub>i</sub> = 8.90±1.80&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung/>
| K<sub>i</sub> = 38.0±24.0&nbsp;nm<ref name=aung/>
|}

==Safety==
No official studies have been conducted on its effects on humans.<ref name="msnbc">{{Cite news|url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35444158|title= Fake pot that acts real stymies law enforcement|author= |date= 2010-02-17|work= |agency= Associated Press|accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.livescience.com/health/fake-marijuana-k2-hallucinations-100303.html|title= Fake Weed, Real Drug: K2 Causing hallucinations in Teens|author= Jeanna Bryner|date= 2010-03-03|work= |publisher= LiveScience|accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref> 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"<ref name="msnbc"/> and that "It's like playing [[Russian roulette]]. You don't know what it's going to do to you."<ref>http://www.livescience.com/health/fake-marijuana-k2-hallucinations-100303.html</ref> 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.<ref name=bfr/> A user who consumed 3&nbsp;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]].<ref name=Zimmermann>{{cite doi|10.3238/arztebl.2009.0464}}</ref> One case has been reported where a user, who had previously suffered from cannabis induced recurrent [[psychotic episode]]s, 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.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1016/j.schres.2009.12.001}}</ref>

==Drug testing==
Spice does not cause a positive [[drug test]] for cannabis or other illegal drugs using [[GC-MS|GC-MS-screening]] with [[library search]], multi-target screening by [[Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry|LC-MS/MS]], or [[immunological screening]] procedures.<ref name="JMS"/><ref name=Zimmermann/> 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.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.04.003}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derstandard.at/?url=/?id=1227289159782 |title=Kräutermischung "Spice": Gesundheitsministerium stoppt Handel, 18 December 2008 |publisher=Derstandard.at |date=2008-12-19 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=(AFP) |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPGX6iOfMtkndhWOyp1_r7bDUizw |title=Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice' |publisher=Google.com |date=2008-12-18 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bmgfj.gv.at/cms/site/presse_detail.html?channel=CH0616&doc=CMS1229603682504 |title=Gesundheitsministerium setzt Maßnahme zum Verbot von "Spice" |publisher=Bmgfj.gv.at |date=2008-12-18 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; 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.<ref name=BGBL_vom_090119>[http://www.bgblportal.de/BGBL/bgbl1f/bgbl109s0049.pdf BGBl I Nr. 3 vom 21.01.2009, 22. BtMÄndV vom 19. Januar 2009,  S. 49–50]{{Dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,602500,00.html |title=Betäubungsmittelrecht: Modedroge Spice wird per Eilverordnung verboten |publisher=Spiegel.de |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; 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|date=August 2009}}
; France: JWH-018, CP 47,497 (and its homologues) and HU-210 were all made illegal in France on 24 February 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jopdf/common/jo_pdf.jsp?numJO=0&dateJO=20090227&numTexte=48&pageDebut=03494&pageFin=03495 |title=Arrêté du 24 février 2009 modifiant l’arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants |publisher=Journal Officiel De La République Française |date=27 February 2009 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; Ireland: From June 2010, JWH-018, along with a variety of other designer drugs are illegal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0303/breaking25.html |title=Move on head shops 'not enough' - The Irish Times - Wed, Mar 03, 2010 |publisher=The Irish Times |date=2010-03-03 |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref>
; Latvia: JWH-018, JWH-073, CP 47,497 (and its homologues) and HU-210 are all banned in Latvia as well as  ''leonotis leonurus''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=121086&from=off |title=Noteikumi par Latvijā kontrolējamajām narkotiskajām vielām, psihotropajām vielām un prekursoriem |publisher=Likumi.lv |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; 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]],<ref>http://orka.sejm.gov.pl/Druki6ka.nsf/wgdruku/1547</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=mm, PAP |url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80708,6268656,Sejm_za_delegalizacja__dopalaczy_.html |title=Sejm za delegalizacją 'dopalaczy' |publisher=Wiadomosci.gazeta.pl |date=2009-02-12 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> [[Polish Senat]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1342,title,Senat-poparl-ustawe-zakazujaca-handlu-dopalaczami,wid,10914456,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=17bb8 |title=Senat poparł ustawę zakazującą handlu "dopalaczami" - Wiadomości - WP.PL |publisher=Wiadomosci.wp.pl |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> and was signed by the President.<ref>http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=26543130</ref>
; Romania: Spice was made illegal in [[Romania]] on 15 February 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/oug_6_2010_modificare_lege_combatere_trafic_droguri_regim_juridic_plante_substante_preparate_stupefiante_psihotrope.php |title=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 |publisher=Dreptonline.ro |date=2000-08-03 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/press_center/press/2510/ |title=О запрещении реализации продукции с содержанием шалфея предсказателей, гавайской розы и голубого лотоса |publisher=Rospotrebnadzor.ru |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.government.ru/gov/results/8945/ |title=Постановление от 31 декабря 2009 г. № 1186 О внесении изменений в некоторые постановления Правительства Российской Федерации по вопросам, связанным с оборотом наркотических средств |publisher=Government.ru |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; Slovak Republic: Spice is legal in the Slovak Republic. The National Anti-Drug Unit is considering adding it to the list of controlled substances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sme.sk/c/5124033/po-ketamine-by-sa-mala-zakazat-bylinna-zmes-spice.html |title=Po ketamíne by sa mala zakázať bylinná zmes Spice |publisher=SME.sk |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> The latest anti-drug law version (468/2009) valid since January 2010 still does not mention active compounds of Spice.<ref>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</ref>
; 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/12102/a/130038 |title=Regeringen förbjuder nätdrogen "Spice" from the website of the Government Offices of Sweden |publisher=Regeringen.se |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>
; Switzerland: Spice has been banned in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite news|first= Stephen|last= Adams|title= Teens in Britain getting legally high on synthetic cannabis banned across Europe |url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/4611523/Teens-in-Britain-getting-legally-high-on-synthetic-cannabis-banned-across-Europe.html|publisher= The Daily Telegraph|date= 13 February 2009|accessdate=13 August 2009 | location=London}}</ref>
; United Kingdom: Spice was legal in the United Kingdom until December 2009, when it was classified as a [[Class B drug#Class B drugs|Class B drug]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8427439.stm | work=BBC News | title='Legal high' drugs banned in UK | date=2009-12-23 | accessdate=2010-05-23}}</ref>

===South America===
; Chile: The [[Ministry of Health (Chile)|Chilean Ministry of Health]] on April 24, 2009 declared the sale of synthetic cannabis to be illegal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias_v2/site/artic/20090423/pags/20090423230421.html |title=Chile prohibe uso de spice, La Nacion 24 de Abril 2009 |publisher=Lanacion.cl |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hkn24.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=28611|title=1일부터 '5-메오-밉트’ 등 향정신성의약품 지정|author=최연희|date=2 July 2009|accessdate=18 February 2010|publisher=헬스코리아뉴스|language=Korean}}</ref>
; Japan: Japan has banned JWH-018, CP 47, 497, and homologues, and HU-210 since Oct. 2009{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}

===Australasia===
; New Zealand: Spice is currently legal in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Published: 5:36AM Sunday January 11, 2009 |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411361/2437839 |title=Concerns about the sale of a legal cannabis substitute &#124; HEALTH News |publisher=Tvnz.co.nz |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>

===North America===
Spice is currently legal in Canada. [[Health Canada]] is debating on the subject.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/societe/200907/12/01-883526-le-spice-la-capitale-craque-pour-les-herbes-magiques.php |title=Ian Bussières : Le spice: la capitale craque pour les «herbes magiques» &#124; Société |publisher=Cyberpresse.ca |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pilule.telequebec.tv/occurrence.aspx?id=595 |title=Une pilule une petite granule : Le Spice, un substitut au cannabis ? |publisher=Pilule.telequebec.tv |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.isomerdesign.com/Cdsa/scheduleNDX.php?schedule=4&structure=C |title=Consolidated Index of Drugs and Substances |publisher=Isomerdesign.com |date=2010-04-24 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>

====United States====
{{See also|JWH-018#United States}}
Some forms of synthetic cannabis (HU-210) are currently [[Controlled Substances Act|scheduled]] in the USA under federal law while others are not (JWH-073).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/spice/spice_hu210.htm|title=HU-210|publisher=USDOJ.gov|accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/spice/spice_jwh073.html|title=JWH-073|publisher=USDOJ.gov|accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html |title=Drug Scheduling from the US Drug Enforcement Administration website |publisher=Justice.gov |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> The [[Drug Enforcement Agency]] considers it to be a "drug of concern".<ref>{{Cite news| title= Places race to outlaw K2 'Spice' drug |url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-24-k2_N.htm | author = Donna Leinwand | newspaper = USA Today | date = 24 May 2010 | accessdate = 26 July 2010}}</ref> Several states have passed acts making it illegal under state law however, including [[Kansas]] in March 2010,<ref name="apkansas">[http://www.cnbc.com/id/37178611 The Associated Press. How major issues fared in Kansas Legislature. CNBC. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23]<!-- Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5pwLsNbKA --></ref> [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Alabama]] in May 2010,<ref name="simmons">{{Cite web|last=Simmons |first=Andria |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/governor-signs-bill-to-534328.html |title=Governor signs bill to outlaw synthetic marijuana |publisher=ajc.com |date=2010-05-24 |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=May 20, 2010 |url=http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/alabama-coalition-gets-salvia-and-k2-banned-their-state |title=Alabama Coalition Gets Salvia and K2 Banned in Their State |publisher=CADCA |date=2010-05-20 |accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref> [[Tennessee]] and [[Missouri]] in July 2010,<ref name="haas">[http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100530/NEWS01/5300328/-K2-K3-synthetic-drugs-are-illegal-in-TN-starting-July-1 Haas, Brian. 'K2', 'K3' synthetic drugs are illegal in TN starting July 1. The Tennessean. 2010-05-30. Accessed: 2010-06-17]<!-- Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5qZEfsw89 --></ref><ref name=nyt>https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/us/11k2.html?src=me</ref> [[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.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/jul/02/health-board-oks-emergency-ban-k2 | author = Gavin Lesnick | title = Beebe signs emergency ban on K2 | journal = Arkansas Online | publisher = Arkansas Democrat Gazette | date = 2 July 2010| accessdate = 26 July 2010}}</ref> According to the [[National Conference of State Legislatures]], several other states are also considering legislation, including [[Michigan]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York]], [[Indiana]], and [[Ohio]].<ref name=nyt/> Illinois passed a law on July 27, 2010 banning all synthetic cannabinoids that goes into effect January 1, 2011.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://newsbythesecond.com/illinois-bans-synthetic-cannabinoids/3736/ | author = Daniel Martynowicz | title = Illinois Bans Synthetic Cannabinoids | accessdate = 14 September 2010}}</ref>

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,<ref name="oki">[http://www.military.com/military-report/marines-ban-spice-drug Allan, David; Fisher, Cindy. Ruling Clarifies 'Legal' Drug Policy. Stars and Stripes via Military.com. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23]<!-- Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5pwQ8wP4v --></ref> 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.<ref name="usmcban">[http://www.military.com/military-report/marines-ban-spice-drug Marines Ban Spice Drug. Military.com. 2010-05-23. Accessed: 2010-05-23]<!-- Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5pwPot7Pu --></ref> 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.<ref name="usafban">{{Cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123209754 |title=Air Force officials ban use and possession of spice, mood-altering substances. Air Force News. 2010-06-17. Accessed: 2010-06-18 |publisher=Af.mil |date= |accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/spice_product/ Erowid]
* [http://www.k2verified.org/ K2 Trademark]
* [http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids Synthetic cannabinoid profile] [[European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spice (Drug)}}
[[Category:Cannabinoids|*]]
[[Category:Aminoalkylindoles|*]]
[[Category:Naphthoylindoles|*]]
[[Category:Phenylacetylindoles|*]]

[[de:Spice (Droge)]]
[[eo:Spico (drogo)]]
[[it:Spice (droga)]]
[[pl:Spice (substancja)]]
[[ru:Spice (курительная смесь)]]
[[sv:Spice (drog)]]
[[Category:2Fix]]