Federal authorities in Philadelphia seized parcels of a new drug containing synthetic cannabinoids at a UPS shipping facility last week. Users seek a marijuana-like high with the ability to pass a standard drug test. Technically they are fully legal and with no current prohibitions. The various preparations of these chemical cannabinoid substitutes are sold as “Spice” or “K2.”
Recreational use of the substances has been growing in popularity. The name “Spice” comes from the Frank Herbert Dune series of books. The chemicals are spread on random plant material and packaged sometimes as fragrant, mood affecting incense. Compared to the ubiquitous natural marijuana market though, these synthetics are fairly uncommon.
The human body produces endogenous cannabinoids and the cannabis plant produces exogenous cannabinoids. We have a complex cannabinoid receptor system throughout our bodies. Marijuana contains a variety of unique cannabinoids that bind with these receptors. Synthetic cannabinoids have been created to study the receptor system in animals and humans.
Some of these compounds have been sold to the public and federal authorities seem to be cracking down on the newfound legal high. The Food and Drug Administration or FDA insists that sale for human consumption is not approved.
Last week the Philadelphia Inquirer reported
The confiscated materials are small, silvery plastic bags of dried leaves labeled with the brand name K2 and marketed as incense that can be smoked. In all, Customs and Border Protection in Philadelphia said, it has seized about four pounds of the potpourri-like stuff. READ MORE
The article also reports that on Jan. 6th a small shipment of the ingredient that is the main synthetic cannabinoid in these new drugs, JWH-018, was also seized in Philadelphia.
JWH-018 has been found in legally marketed products around the world lately. The Philadelphia NORML Examiner spoke with two leading cannabinoid experts to find out more.
Jahan Marcu recently published a landmark study highlighting the effect of pure cannabinoids on gliomas or brain cancers. Currently conducting research at Philadelphia area university, Marcu is one of the few cannabinoid scientists in America. He was familiar with Spice.
“There are a variety of cannabinoids… there are the classical plant cannabinoids that most of us are familiar with; they’re known as tri-cyclic cannabinoids like THC or Marinol. The JWH-018 is a very new compound, it was synthesized in 1998 and it belongs to an ‘indol’ family of cannabinoids. And these indol derivatives have been very powerful research tools in the last decade and have really advanced cannabinoid science. There are hundreds if not thousands of these synthesized cannabinoids.”
Somehow a few of those compounds made it from the labs onto the streets and not just in the US, but also around the world.
“When we see these things starting to appear in designer drugs or herbal [products] it is a concern because not much is known about these compounds. They are very new and are used to test receptor function.”
Marcu explained that JWH-018 is a standard ingredient, but not the only thing in Spice.
“An endogenous cannabinoid was found [in some spice]. Varying amounts of a few different synthetic cannabinoids have been found around the world; in Europe the US, Japan. So when we talk about Spice we’re not just talking about JWH compounds but we’re talking about a lot of other things.”
The end-user who purchases the commonly marketed versions of the products containing mixtures of chemical cannabinoid substitutes seeks the euphoric effect of activating his or her cannabinoid receptors.
Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director of national NORML and a respected author on the topic of cannabinoids. We spoke with him yesterday. Paul explained that the frontal lobe of the brain has a dense concentration of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. The JWH-018 and other synthetic cannabinoids are likely activating those receptors.
Armentano is also an expert on drug testing. Natural marijuana uses the delta-9-THC molecule mainly to produce the high, thus standard drug screens only look for THC metabolites. “You could create some test for these synthetic cannabinoids,” Armentano said.
But if you smoked these synthetics would you pass a workplace or other current, standard drug screen?
“Yes.”
This fact may be the real reason behind the drug’s growing appeal. Users are beating the system at it’s own game. Unlike the tens of millions of regular marijuana consumers in the country, the synthetic users are legally and in full privacy, activating their cannabinoid receptors at will. The cost of introducing a new set of screening to the drug tests administered nationwide would be hefty.
Though it may seem like a clean getaway for the Spicers there are some serious unknowns. The most pressing questions regard the untested impact long-term ingestion of these synthetic cannabinoids can have on individuals.
We have 6,000 years of humans ingesting natural marijuana. We know that natural cannabis is non-toxic and can call it ‘safe’ for most individuals using it for medication or recreation. But humans have been using these new chemicals for less than 15 years.
Cannabinoid researcher Marcu points out that Spice and K2 are not a consistent product by any means, even with their main ingredient.
“In Japan they surveyed over 40 herbal preparations on the market and JWH-018 ranged from 2.0 to over 35 milligrams in a gram of this ‘spice’ substance. So it varies widely.”
But for community leaders and potential users of this new drug the question is of safety.
“We don’t know,” Marcu said. “There is just so little known about these compounds. The actual compound could be safe but the metabolites could somehow be pharmacologically active.”
Both Amrentano and Marcu pointed out several different scientifically generated synthetic cannabinoids, hundreds in fact. Marcu said even with current crackdown on JWH-018, law enforcement would have a difficult time keeping all of these synthetic cannabinoid derivatives off of the street.
Marijuana reform advocates point to the rise in popularity of Spice as another unfortunate by-product of natural cannabis prohibition.
The Philadelphia NORML Examiner will continue coverage of this emerging topic.
Paul Armentano’s Blog http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-armentano
Jahan Marcu’s Blog http://cannabination.com/
Subscribe to the Philadelphia NORML Examiner – it’s free!
Chris Goldstein may be contacted with questions about marijuana legalization: media@phillynorml.org
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Comments
Think I'll pass on Spice (though I wish there was equal amounts of concern for the long term effects of ingredients in many of our food products - like aspartame.)
Thanks for continuing to be a clear-headed voice of reason amidst this smoking topic!
i think that this is one of the most stupidest thing a person can do. y smoke fake weed. the real shit is much betta trust me. STOP smoking k2 ppl
Aspartame has already been proven to cause no harm...just some headaches from too much, which can also happen with many other edible things. Good try though.
IM GONNA GO TRY SOME TODAY, YAY.... I HOPE IT GETS ME HIGH FLYING AND HAPPY... YA'LL SUKI'MIBALS
heck NO
The stuff is great.Tried it multiple times.As for side effects,every thing we do,drink,eat,and breath now a days causes health problems so who cares.What i do in my home is my business no one elses.
Yes Chris! What you do is your own business. So go ahead and die if you want!
Have a nice day
i dont know why cops want to ban this so bad... its very easy to drive whenn your on it and its their own lives so leave them alone! let them do what they want, we all know what its doing to our bodies
Seems like these new chemicals are more beneficial than anything. Unless Pfizer is making a profit and controlling the whole thing then it will remain an issue. Remember they want us to get cancer and die. Overpopulation is their vibe. Also, cops would be very bored if they had nothing new to "crack" down on. Funny though half the cops in my town can't function without their blow.
Its not your business what others do with there lives
Its NOT your business!
'die if you want' see the ignorance up close
Comments on this page proof that people that dont smoke are
crazy murderers out to HATE
Yes it IS my business if some jackass is going to smoke this crap and get behind the wheel of a care and drive....I am so sick of people like you acting like a bunch of babies with your " It's not your business" get a life you moron!
correction...."get behind the wheel of a car"
rus if you cant type then you must be high too. ya boner. ever take aspirin and drive. how about caffeine. your an idiot.
It a example of the lunacy of today's Human Being's
Jesus Will Come back and then we can finnally have a joint!
How long does this k2 stay in your system ---Just in case they come up with a test?
it does not show up on a drug test
I'm trying to figure out if the price is so hefty to create a intial test for it, then what is the likely hood of the military coming up with a test. And how long does it stay in your system?
When you're on it you might think it's easy to drive and yes I agree it's your own body but take some consideration for others. What happens when you're high and you wreck and kill someone... How can you live with that... ? Just saying ....
dont try that stuf you dont know how much of the product is in it itrid it and i coldnt sleep for 72 hours i was seeing things i was mad i was thirsty no appitite didnt wana be bothered panicing and i came back to and my stomach was hurting i felt thirsty and hungry not to mention the dazing off and staring at the wall and floor that stuff aint good weed makes u feel hungry happy and sleepy i felt stupid scared and helpless
I've been smoking this stuff for about 2 months and I haven't had any problems thus so far...However Colorado will ban this product effective 12 24 2010...
I've been smoking this stuff for about 2 months and I haven't had any problems thus so far...However Colorado will ban this product effective 12 24 2010...
I have been smoking spice for about 2 months.. So far so good.. However the state of Colorado will ban this product effective 12 24 2010..
You are an idiot. Your symptoms were that of your own and extremely uncommon. There was either other drugs involved or you have some sort of chemical imbalance. Plus it is easy enough to make yourself which allows you to completely control the process. Maybe you should have done that...
Idk wth u smoked but i've smoked a few different kinds and it doesn't last but 2 hrs at the most and everyone i smoked with got hungry and happy and when it wore off sleepy....
I don't think it should be banned or anything. People just need to be careful because there is A LOT of counterfeit floating around. Look at this crazy long list of k2 incense counterfeiters on this site: www.k2-incense.com
Check out ezincense.com
Great product and fast shipping!
Be safe! Be smart!
ive read some really in depth scientific studies that some people did on rats on a website not too long ago. from the tests they did, they concluded that they were non-carcinogenic. but then again who knows how in depth these tests were. there generally arent any harmful side effects from smoking these syntethic cannibinoids but the only scare we have are looking at long term effects. ive been smoking this stuff for about 2 years now. it kind of scares me that we might be the test subjects for a new cancer haha. thats why im probably gonna quit this stuff soon.
But we do know that these, just like THC inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, several invloved in breat cancer, they also have potential antipsychotic properties, which probably explains why some of us feel the need for them to get away from the daily nonsense in our lives and many of these studies where paid for my the government and available on government sites, they want to outlaw them just like THC because of the negative impact on the expensive cancer treatments and the governments wallet. It's all about the NWO! Spread the word, stop the injustice, don't let the government outlaw more cancer inhibitors, make them legalize THC now!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19887554
http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/8/11/3117.abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19539619
http://www.jdsjournal.com/article/S0923-1811(06)00315-X/abstract
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a790469515&db=all
and the list goes on......
Wow! Sorry about the typos!
On the same note, our body creates it's own cannabinoids too to react with these receptors, called endocannabinoids, so these feelings are natural and I suspect that those that have trouble producing the cannabinoids inside have more of a need to intake from other sources to find a way to relax. So you see God knew what he was doing when he created marijuana, does that really surprise people? Where does man get off outlawing one of God's plants? Mankind is stupid and now they are paying for their mistakes with rampant wide spread cancers.
Just Google CB1 CB2 antagonist folks
And rolla, your a f**king lier!
aj your a moron, it's not just your life when you drive under the influence you tard, it can effect the lives of the people you run over or run into and mame or kill, NEVER drive under the influence of ANYTHING but air!
They are delusional for thinking a ban is going to stop people from getting their hands on this stuff. I wish people would be more careful though. My friends were telling me about some sort of blueberry k2 incense and I googled it and found out it is counterfeit. Apparently there are only a few authentic blends. The list of fakes is scary long and they don't quite know what is in those, http://www.k2incense.org. It's worth checking out if you buy this or know someone who does. Stay safe.....
did k2 9/25/10 will it be visible 9/27/10 cuz 9/27/10 i get uh cup juss want results before time let me know negative or positve
you all are retarded
im high right now this shit is the best but i tend to piss myself on it
This stuff isnt bad, it does the same as weed, but they tell you when you buy it not to do to much. But i has raspberry mamba, it was great, i just bought k2 summit. hope all goes well.
I've been smoking this product and products like it for 5 months, just about every night. There haven't been any adverse side-effects, i feel fine and my business is still going so i don't think i'm getting dumber, or dying or anything silly. Simply Synthetic marijuana. Essentially the Oxycodone in comparison to Oxycontin
The only reason people smoke this stuff is so they can get high and pass drug tests
I've been on probation for 11 months and have been doing the stuff for about
6 months I've noticed some health side effects. Nothing crazy just a lot of stomach pain.
I hate this fake shit, and whoever can smoke real pot should. I'm getting off
Probation next week and I can promise that I will never smoke it again. And the
state of alabama has a drug test for it and its not un-common
I kinda liked the drug. I would rather smoke weed because it lasts longer. K2 really only has it''s full effect if you smoke it like once every other day. You get immune to it quickly. Like the first time you smoke a cigarette you get a buzz.
Ok well lets start naming some things
Spice has been proven to cause:
Blindness
Seizures
PERMANENT memory loss
Addiction
and
Death.
This is what happens when people cant smoke REAL weed.
They turn to this.....good job everyone.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN ARIZONA!
SPICE IS ILLEGAL IN AZ STARTING 24 OF DEC!
Name the time someone went blind, had a seizure, had permanent memory loss, or when someone died from just this.........
you guys that do this stuff are crazy. i had a friend that..no he didn't go into seizures, but his arms and legs started twitching uncontrollably and when he came down off his high didn't remember a thing. Another friend, same stuff, took two hits and couldn't walk. you ppl need to grow up.
I have been smoking this for about 4 months and at first everything was fine. Yesterday I was rushed to the emergency room. I could not breathe properly and my heart start pounding madly. I underwent an EKG, blood tests and a breathing treatment with albuterol. I am a 46 year old that has smoked pot without any problems for years. If anyone can benefit from my post, please be careful, I don't think we are being told enough about the possible long term and in my case. not so long side effects of this stuff.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Anonymous statement above regarding emergency room visit is quite believable to me. I too smoked this...one hit and a friend also...one hit. Within 20 minutes it creeped up on me and I became very dehydrated. I quickly drank 2 bottled waters and peaked with my high within 40 minutes. Unfortunately, my friend put his head down on a table and could not move his body. Tried to get him up and he completely collapsed on the floor. I never witnessed anything like it...I thought he was a gonner as did others around him. Paramedics arrived and thought he was just passed out drunk. They raised him up, he threw up, they put him in an ambulence and wisked him off to the emergency room. He spent the eve on IV's and was pretty good within 8 hrs time. Yea, this is some good s..t! When I saw the previous post, I thought this was worth mentioning...yea we all do stupid things once in awhile but it doesn't mean we should completely ignore danger signs when they happen rightin front of our faces. Be careful all.
I AM A 46YR. OLD MAN IVE SMOKED POT OFF AND ON FOR35YRS ITS HELPED WITH MY IBS~PTSD~DEPRESSION AND ANXIETYDISORDER I DONT LIKE DRINKING OR PILLS I HAVE AGOOD JOB THAT PROVIDES FOR MY FAMILY BUT ALABAMA HAS NO MEDICAL POT LAW AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL I HAVESMOKED SYNTHETIC FOR 2 YEARS IN MODERATION WITH NO ILL HEALTH PROBS BUT IM WORRIED ABOUT LONG TERM EFFECTS IVE BEEN FORCED INTO THIS POSITION BY AN OBTUSE GOVERNMENT POLICY CREATED OUT OF IGNORANCE AND THE GREED OF ILLEGAL DEALERS WHO HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE MARKETS SYNTHETIC POT IS NOT BETTER THAN THE REAL THING AND COSTS MUCH MORE I PRAY FOR THE DAY MARIJUANA IS DECRIMINALIZED SO IT CAN BE TAXED ~USE BY MINORS CAN BE REGULATED~NEW JOBS CREATEDieHEMP INDUSTRIES ANDADULTS CAN RESPONSIBLY USE IT IN THE PRIVACY OF OUR OWN HOMES WITHOUT CAUSING MORE OVERCROWDING OF PRISONS~COURTS AND ALLOWING THE DRUGWAR TO CONCENTRATE ON THE REAL PROBLEMSie METH~CRACK AND PHARMS ABUSE!!!!!
all these comments are great but the real question is, is HOW LONG DOES IT STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM?????...
Noone will know because they don't have a way to test u for it...
Mix it with weed and its perfect, the spice calms you down and makes you chill but you are still high from it and the weed.
Isn't it funny how you can go to the doctor and easily get a prescription for an endless amount of drugs that can lead to organ damage/failure or even death, yet the authorities are having a hissy fit over some k2 herb fake weed stuff. Okay, not funny. Infuriating. They waste so much time and money chasing stuff like this down. They are only adding to the huge overcrowding problem we currently have in American prisons. K2 incense has survived every ban thus far and you can buy k2 smoke products from these guys, http://www.k2incenseblend.com that aren't restricted by ANY current ban, so really, what exactly are they trying to achieve here???
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