Synthetic cannabinoids agonists (found in “Spice” and possibly other like products); JWH-018
Street/Brand name: Spice.
Some products are reported to be imported from China and sold in the UK and other EU countries.
Herbal mixes – commonly sold under the brand name “Spice”.
Tobacco and cannabis-free and a blend of various “inert” plant ingredients
However, synthetic cannabinoids have been found to be sprayed on to the herbal mix – for the purpose of acheiving intoxication and a cannabis like effect – Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principle in cannabis.
Though there is little direct evidence about their harms, the ACMD conclude that it is very likely that these synthetic cannabinoids will produce harmful effects similar to those associated with THC.
The ACMD also advise that the substances containing the synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to be more harmful than cannabis due to their method of manufacture and that the compounds present and their quantity (and hence potency) is unknown to the user.
Synthetic cannabinoids were made illegal under the 1971 Act as Class B drugs (same category and rationale as cannabis classification) with possession and supply offences under the 1971 Act.
The 1971 Act will use a generic definition of synthetic cannabinoids to future proof legislation, and keep one step ahead of illicit manufacturers who have been shown (elsewhere in EU) to move to similar but “non controlled” compounds to get around the law.
Currently it is illegal to sell, supply, or advertise for human consumption under medicines legislation.
However, synthetic cannabinoids have been found to be sprayed on to the herbal mix – for the purpose of acheiving intoxication and a cannabis like effect – and these products may therefore pose a serious health risk.
There are a number of Spice products (Spice Silver, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, Spice Arctic Synergy, Spice Tropical Synergy, Spice Egypt, Spice Yukatan Fire) currently available, predominantly via the internet but also is specialist/ “headshops”.
There are a large number of potential cannabinoids that can be synthesised, the predominant chemical family is the JWH family e.g. JWH-018
There is no evidence (yet) that identified cannabinoids are present in all Spice (or Spice-like) products.
Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principle in cannabis.
Though there is little direct evidence about their harms, the ACMD conclude that it is very likely that these synthetic cannabinoids will produce harmful effects similar to those associated with THC.
The ACMD also advise that the substances containing the synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to be more harmful than cannabis due to their method of manufacture and that the compounds present and their quantity (and hence potency) is unknown to the user.
Some compounds may have a very long duration of action.
Some batches of the product might be much more or less potent than others.
Subject to Parliamentary agreement, synthetic cannabinoids are likely to be made illegal under the 1971 Act as Class B drugs (same category and rationale as cannabis classification) with possession and supply offences under the 1971 Act.
The 1971 Act will use a general definition of synthetic cannabinoids to keep one step ahead of manufacturers who have been shown (elsewhere in EU) to move to similar but “non controlled” compounds to get around the law.
Currently it is illegal to sell, supply, or advertise for human consumption under medicines legislation.