Abstract
Keywords
- •The drug commonly referred to as “Spice” is actually a category of several hundred chemicals in the group known as synthetic cannabinoids.
- •Reference to the term synthetic marijuana is misleading and suggests these drugs are well tolerated. In actuality they are dangerous and unpredictable.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Not Marijuana/Cannabis
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids and “Spice” profile. Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids. Accessed May 2015.
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids and “Spice” profile. Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids. Accessed May 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Often More Potent Than Marijuana/Cannabis4
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Ever-changing
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids and “Spice” profile. Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids. Accessed May 2015.

Synthetic Cannabinoid Research Was “High Jacked”9, 10
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.

Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Dangerous Chemicals with Unpredictable Composition and Human Toxicity
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Have Many Street Names
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future Survey, Overview of Findings 2014. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-future-survey-overview-findings-2014. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Spice | “Moon Rocks” |
“K2” | “Ninja” |
“Angry Birds” | “Mr. Nice Guy” |
“Bhang” | “Outer Space” |
“Bliss” | “Scooby Snax” |
“Black Mamba” | “Sexy Monkey” |
“Bombay Blue” | “Skunk” |
“Dr. Feel Good” | “Smacked” |
“Fake weed” | “Smoking Santa” |
“Gangsta” | “Tomcat” |
“Mojo” | “WANTED” |
“Killa Gorilla” | “Yucatan” |
Synthetic Cannabinoids Usage Is Not Limited to Young People
University of Michigan. Monitoring the Future Survey. Available at: http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/. Accessed May 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future Survey, Overview of Findings 2014. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-future-survey-overview-findings-2014. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi State Department of Health. About MEMSIS. MEMSIS is the Mississippi Emergency Medical Services Information System. Available at: http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/47,0,309.html. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Are Easily Obtained
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
The Guardian. 'Our purity is above 99%': the Chinese labs churning out legal highs for the West. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/01/chinese-labs-legal-highs-west-drugs. Accessed May 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA Spice Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/K2_Spice.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future Survey, Overview of Findings 2014. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-future-survey-overview-findings-2014. Accessed May 2015.
The Clarion-Ledger. Around $8 million in spice seized from Jackson apartment. Available at: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/04/10/around-million-spice-seized-jackson-apartment/25587753/. Accessed May 2015.
Synthetic Cannabinoids Can Be Addicting, with Unknown Long-term Consequences
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids and “Spice” profile. Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids. Accessed May 2015.
Provider Education Is Key
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
Conclusion
Appendix




References
- Adverse events associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids—Mississippi, 2015.Mississippi Morb Rep. 2015; 31: 1-5
- Notes from the field: increase in reported adverse health effects related to synthetic cannabinoid use — United States, January–May 2015.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015; 64: 618-619
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: K2/Spice (“Synthetic Marijuana”). Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/k2spice-synthetic-marijuana. Accessed May 15, 2015.
- Patients may be using synthetic cannabinoids more than you think.JEMS. 2014; 39: 56-59
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids and “Spice” profile. Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/synthetic-cannabinoids. Accessed May 2015.
- Synthetic cannabinoids: acute intoxication.2015 (Available at:) (Accessed November 6, 2015)
- Synthetic cannabinoid use: recognition and management.J Psychiatr Pract. 2012; 18: 86-93
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration/Office of Diversion Control. Rules – 2013. Available at: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2013/fr0104.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.
- Hijacking of basic research: the case of synthetic cannabinoids.Methods Rep RTI Press. 2011; 2011
- Spice drugs are more than harmless herbal blends: a review of the pharmacology and toxicology of synthetic cannabinoids.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2012; 39: 234-243
National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws. An introduction to synthetic drugs. Available at: http://www.namsdl.org/library/2FCED5EA-65BE-F4BB-A59EF19FEBC462FF/. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Narcotics. Available at: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-narcotics/#. Accessed November 6, 2015.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future Survey, Overview of Findings 2014. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-future-survey-overview-findings-2014. Accessed May 2015.
University of Michigan. Monitoring the Future Survey. Available at: http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/. Accessed May 2015.
Mississippi State Department of Health. About MEMSIS. MEMSIS is the Mississippi Emergency Medical Services Information System. Available at: http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/47,0,309.html. Accessed November 6, 2015.
- Substance abuse treatment need among older adults in 2020: the impact of the aging baby-boom cohort.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003; 69: 127-135
The Guardian. 'Our purity is above 99%': the Chinese labs churning out legal highs for the West. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/01/chinese-labs-legal-highs-west-drugs. Accessed May 2015.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA Spice Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/K2_Spice.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2015.
The Clarion-Ledger. Around $8 million in spice seized from Jackson apartment. Available at: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/04/10/around-million-spice-seized-jackson-apartment/25587753/. Accessed May 2015.
- Here today, gone tomorrow…and back again? A review of herbal marijuana alternatives (K2, Spice), synthetic cathinones (bath salts, kratom, Salvia divinorum, methoxetamine, and piperazines.J Med Toxicol. 2012; 8: 15-32
- New drugs of abuse.Pharmacotherapy. 2015; 35: 189-197
- Withdrawal phenomena and dependence syndrome after the consumption of “spice gold.”.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009; 106: 464-467
Article Info
Publication History
Footnotes
Funding: None.
Conflict of Interest: None.
Authorship: We verify that all authors had access to the data and a role in writing the manuscript.