Synthetic cannabinoids

Overview of Synthetic Cannabinoids

• Synthetic cannabinoids are designer drug molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
• They are often sprayed onto plant matter for smoking or ingested in liquid form.
• Marketed as herbal incense or smoking blends under names like K2 and Spice.
• Designed to mimic THC with greater potency.
• Linked to negative effects like seizures, paranoia, and deaths.
• Synthetic cannabinoid products vary in composition, including synthetic cannabinoids and other added substances.
• Counterfeit black market cannabis products may contain laced buds, edibles, or CBD products with synthetic cannabinoids.
• Ingredients in synthetic cannabinoid blends can include oleamide and stimulant drugs.
• Nearly 700 herbal incense products contain synthetic cannabinoids.

Types and Classification of Synthetic Cannabinoids

• Classical cannabinoids like nabilone and dronabinol.
• Non-classical cannabinoids like cyclohexylphenols (CP).
• Hybrid cannabinoids that combine classical and non-classical features.
• Aminoalkylindoles like JWH-018 and eicosanoid synthetic cannabinoids.
• Newer synthetic cannabinoids with greater structural diversity.
• Indazole carboxamide group includes APINACA and AB-PINACA.
• Quinolinyl ester synthetic cannabinoids like PB-22 and 5F-PB-22 emerged in 2013.
• Stereospecificity varies among different types of synthetic cannabinoids.
• Fluorinated versions like 5F-PB-22 and XLR-11 are more potent at CB receptors.

Health Effects and Toxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids

• Synthetic cannabinoids activate CB1 and CB2 receptors, leading to effects similar to THC but at lower doses.
• Adverse effects include acute kidney injury, cardiac toxicity, seizures, and tremors.
• Deaths linked to synthetic cannabinoids occur annually, unlike marijuana.
• Metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids may have toxic effects not present in the parent compound.
• Synthetic cannabinoids are associated with addiction, with reports of strong compulsion, withdrawal symptoms, and persistent cravings.
• Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to psychosis, inducing and worsening psychotic disorders in vulnerable individuals.

Detection and Testing of Synthetic Cannabinoids

• Not detected by standard marijuana drug tests due to differences in binding.
• Synthetic cannabinoids have high potency and rapid metabolism, making detection challenging.
• Detection methods include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and commercially available screening kits.
• Major urinary metabolites are formed through oxidation and conjugation.
• Companies like NMS Labs and Cayman Chemical offer screening kits for various synthetic cannabinoids.

Regulations, Incidents, and Research on Synthetic Cannabinoids

• Legal restrictions on synthetic cannabinoids vary by region, with bans in countries like Germany, France, and Ireland.
• Incidents of overdoses and deaths related to synthetic cannabinoids have been reported globally.
• Synthetic cannabinoids are speculated to be involved in vaping-associated pulmonary injury.
• Notable incidents include overdoses in New Zealand, Russia, the US, and the presence of rat poison in synthetic blends in the US.
• Various US states have reported outbreaks of severe bleeding and hospitalizations due to contaminated synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids Data Sources