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Synthetic cannabinoids

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Synthetic cannabinoids
A 'herbal' smoking mixture
Releated terms: x, Tai High Hawaiian Haze, Spice, Mary Joy, ecsess, devil's weed, Clockwork Orange, Bombay Blue Extreme, Blue cheese, black mamba, Annihilation, Amsterdam gold.

The Drug

The Effects

The Risks

The Law

The Drug
Overview Appearance Use
Overview

What are synthetic cannabinoids?
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemicals that mimic the effects of the main active compound  in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol  (THC). These synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in 'herbal' smoking mixtures, normally sprayed on to the plant material. To date, the plant material has just  been used to carry the synthetic drugs and does not normally contain any tobacco or cannabis plant. Sometimes smoking mixtures have been found not to contain any synthetic cannabinoids. You can never be sure what you are smoking.

These smoking mixtures are often known by their brand names such as Annihilation, Black Mamba and Spice to name a few.

Smoking mixtures like Annihilation and Black Mamba can potentially contain a large number of different cannabinoids which have been artificially created. JWH-018 was probably the most commonly known compound, but others, such as AM2201, MAM2201, RCS-4 and UR-144, have been found in smoking mixtures.

A large number of synthetic cannabinoids, including Black Mamba and Annihilation, have become Class B drugs, illegal to have, give away or sell. As more synthetic cannabinoids become illegal, it is likely that more compounds will be synthesised to try to get round the law. But, you can never be sure want is in a smoking mixture and whether it is illegal or not.

Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the effects of THC and so the effects - good and bad - are likely to be very similar to cannabis. Some users will feel happy and relaxed, may get the giggles, feel hunger pangs and become very talkative. Others may feel ill or paranoid.

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Appearance

In their pure form, synthetic cannabinoids are either solids or oils. They are then added to dried herbs, vegetable matter or plant cuttings to make a smoking mixture (so that it looks more like real herbal cannabis).

The smoking mixtures are packaged very professionally in small, often colourful sachets with labels describing the contents as incense or herbal smoking mixture and almost always stating: 'Not for human consumption'.

There are many different names given to herbal smoking mixtures, some of the most common are listed in the aka section at the top of the page.

Although there are many different names or brands it is not uncommon for different brands to contain the same synthetic cannabinoids. Some may contain even contain illegal synthetic cannabinoids.

Some synthetic cannabinoids are sold as incense or room odorisers. A sachet of smoking mixture, usually about 3g, can cost between £20 and £30.

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Use

How do people take synthetic cannabinoids?
Synthetic cannabinoids are used in a similar way to cannabis:

  • They can be mixed with tobacco, rolled up into something known as a ‘spliff’ or a ‘joint’, and then smoked
  • They can be smoked without tobacco using a type of pipe called a bong.
The Effects

What are the effects of synthetic cannabinoids?
Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the effects of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. They may be stronger than typical cannabis and because these substances are so new, they may have completely unknown effects. Typical cannabis effects include:

  • Some will feel happy and relaxed, and may get the giggles, feel hunger pangs and become very talkative. Others get more drowsy.
  • Mood and perception can change and concentration and co-ordination may become difficult.
  • Some will have quite bad reactions. Paranoia, panic attacks and forgetfulness are all associated with using cannabis.
The Risks
What are the risks? Impurities Getting hooked
What are the risks?

What are the risks of synthetic cannabinoids?
Because synthetic cannabinoids mimic the effects of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, it is very likely that they will produce harmful effects similar to those associated with THC. But, many synthetic cannabinoids are new and may have other completely unknown effects too. There may also be risks from smoking the plant material itself – as occurs with tobacco and cannabis smoking.

 

  • Regular use of products containing synthetic cannabinoids may increase the risk of later developing psychotic illnesses including schizophrenia.
  • Experts are concerned that synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to be more harmful than cannabis because of the high strength of these compounds compared to cannabis and because of the range of different chemicals being produced.
  • The effects of some of the synthetic  cannabinoids may be longer lasting than cannabis and because of the lack of information about what is in the smoking mixtures it may be difficult to predict the strength of different products.
  • Anecdotal reports about the synthetic cannabinoid AM2201 (which has been found in Annihilation and Black Mamba) suggest that it can cause an increased heart rate, panic attacks and convulsions. It is likely that other synthetic cannabinoids will have similar adverse effects.
  • From anecdotal and official reports, the most common risks from using synthetic cannabinoids are an increase in heart rate, feeling on edge or restless, feeling tried or drowsy, feeling sick, being sick and hallucinations (seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t there),     
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Impurities

What are synthetic cannabinoids cut with?
Any dried herbs, vegetable matter or plant cuttings can be used to make smoking mixtures. A number of different plants are often listed on the packaging of smoking mixtures, but it appears that many are not present and that the packaging cannot be trusted. The chemical composition of synthetic cannabinoids and the ingredients of smoking mixtures are changing all the time, so you can never be sure what you're getting, how powerful it is and how it could affect you.

There have been very few studies carried out on the level of synthetic cannabinoids present in smoking mixtures. Because of the difficulties in making a smoking mixture it is likely that there will be differences in the concentration of synthetic cannabinoids between different batches. Some don’t contain any synthetic cannabinoids at all.

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Getting hooked

Can you get addicted to synthetic cannabinoids?
There is little information about whether synthetic cannabinoids are addictive, but given their similarity to cannabis and that cannabis can be addcitive, it is likely that dependence on synthetic cannabinoids is a real risk for users.

Dependence will be influenced by a number of factors, including how long you've been using it, how much you use and whether you are just more prone to become dependent.

You have used synthetic cannabinoids regularly you may find it difficult to stop using and you may experience psychological and physical withdrawals when you do stop. The withdrawals can include cravings for synthetic cannabinoids, irritability, mood changes, loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty sleeping and even sweating, shaking and diarrhoea.

If you've only been using for a short while there should be no problem stopping but with continued regular use of synthetic cannabinoids it may become more difficult.

The Law

Synthetic cannabinoids and the law

  • A large number of synthetic cannabinoids and any mixtures that contain these synthetic cannabinoids, including Black Mamba and Annihilation, are Class B drugs and are illegal to have, give away or sell. Some products have been found to contain synthetic cannabinoids that are currently legal to possess, but as you can’t be sure what’s in any smoking mixture, when you purchase one you always run the risk that you may be in possession of a Class B drug.
  • Possession of products containing controlled synthetic cannbinoids can get you up to five years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.
  • Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you fourteen years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

 

What if you’re caught?

  • If the Police catch you with controlled synthetic cannabinoids, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution,  arrest and prosecution.
  • A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.

Did you know?

  • Like drinking and driving, driving when under the influence of drugs is illegal – in fact you can still be unfit to drive the day after using some drugs, especially if you’ve been up all night. You can get a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even go to prison. 
  • Allowing other people to use drugs in your house or any other premises is illegal. If the police catch someone they can prosecute the landlord, club owner or person holding the party.

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