Synthetic cannabinoids, or neocannabinoids, are a class of designer drug molecules that bind to the same receptors to which cannabinoids (THC, CBD and many others) in cannabis plants attach.^[1]

These novel psychoactive substances should not be confuse with synthetic phytocannabinoids (obtain by chemical synthesis) or synthetic endocannabinoids from which they are in many aspects distinct.^[2][3][4]

Typically, synthetic cannabinoids is spray onto plant matter^[5] and are usually smoked,^[6] although they have also been ingested as a concentrated liquid form in the United States and United Kingdom since 2016.^[7] They have been marketed as herbal incense, or “herbal smoking blends”,^[6] and sold under common names such as K2, spice,^[8] and synthetic marijuana.^[5]

K2 Paper Sheets for sale online in USA with Discreet Packaging & Shipping

They are often label “not for human consumption” for liability defense.^[8] A large and complex variety of synthetic cannabinoids are designed in an attempt to avoid legal restrictions on cannabis, making synthetic cannabinoids designer drugs.^[6]

Most synthetic cannabinoids are agonists of the cannabinoid receptors. They have been designed to be similar to THC,^[9] the natural cannabinoid with the strongest binding affinity to the CB₁ receptor, which is linked to the psychoactive effects or “high” of marijuana.^[10]

These synthetic analogs often have greater binding affinity and greater potency to the CB₁ receptors. There are several synthetic cannabinoid families (e.g., AM-xxx, CP-xx,xxx, HU-xx, JWH-xxx) which are classified by the creator of the substance (e.g., JWH stands for John W. Huffman),

which can include several substances with different base structures such as classical cannabinoids and unrelated naphthoylindoles.^[11]

Synthetic marijuana compounds began to be manufactured and sold in the early 2000s.^[6] From 2008 to 2014, 142 synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists were reported to the European Monitoring-Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).^[12]

Reported user negative effects include palpitations, paranoia, intense anxiety, nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination, and seizures. There have also been reports of a strong compulsion to re-dose, withdrawal symptoms, and persistent cravings.^[12]

There have been several deaths link to synthetic cannabinoids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the number of deaths from synthetic cannabinoid use tripled between 2014 and 2015.^[13][14]

In 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration warn of significant health risks from synthetic cannabinoid products that contain the rat poison brodifacoum, which is added because it is thought to extend the duration of the drugs’ effects.^[15] Severe illnesses and death have resulted from this contamination.^[15]

It is often difficult to determine what is in these products without reagent testing because masking agents, such as tocopherol (or vitamin E acetate that causes vaping-associat pulmonary injury), eugenol, and fatty acids, are added to confound identification. Just as the synthetic cannabinoid(s) used differ between each synthetic cannabinoid product sold, so do the other contents of the counterfeit product.

• Counterfeit cannabis-liquid (c-liquid) for e-cigarettes: Synthetic cannabinoids are increasingly offer in e-cigarette form as “c-liquid”.^[16] Several schoolchildren in Greater Manchester collapsed after vaping synthetic cannabinoids mis-sold as THC e-liquid.^{[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}
• Counterfeit cannabis buds: Hemp buds (or low-potency cannabis buds) laced with synthetic cannabinoids.^{[26][27][28][29][30]}
• Counterfeit cannabis edible: The Florida Poison Information Center in Jacksonville warned parents in September 2020 that the number of people poisoned by fake marijuana edibles and candies has tripled.^[31]
• Counterfeit hashish: From December 2018, different samples must  contain synthetic cannabinoids.^{[32][33][34][35]}

Synthetic cannabinoids appear in many CBD brands in products such as gummy bears and vape cartridges.^[36]

Spice/K2, Synthetic Marijuana

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What is it?

A synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, K2/Spice is a mixture of plant material spray with synthetic psychoactive chemicals. Often looks like herbal incense or potpourri and typically labeled “not for human consumption”. Dangerous to purchase from the Internet because its origins and chemical amounts are unknown. The ingredients and strength of products containing synthetic cannabinoids are almost impossible for the user to know.

To learn more about the dangers of synthetic drugs, watch the video, One Small Dose.

TAKE THE QUIZ: Synthetic Weed – What Do You Know?

Street Names

Blaze, RedX Dawn, Paradise, Demon, Black Magic, Spike, Mr. Nice Guy, Ninja, Zohai, Dream, Genie, Sence, Smoke, Skunk, Serenity, Yucatan, Fire, Skooby Snax, Crazy Clown

How is it use?

Smoked after sprayed or mixed on plant materials or vaporized through e-cigarettes

Paraphernalia

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E-Cigarettes

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Bong

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Rolling papers

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Roach clip

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Pipe