“Synthetic cannabinoids” in formulations called Spice, K2, etc. have mostly been out of the news since they were made illegal after springing up all over the country in smoke stores and elsewhere.
They’ve never disappeared entirely, though and can be used, e.g., to “dust” cannabis to make it stronger, and in at least one recent case (not in Utah) were labeled as CBD hemp oil products in a store.
So, they might possibly be behind some of the reported increases to calls to Utah Poison Control Centers from people feeling distress after ingesting what they thought were non-toxic CBD formulations in the wild west “grey market” for those products…
It’s often hard to reach medical conclusions about such reports in a politicized and polarized climate so no confirmation on this we know of…
…In any case, it’s worth understanding synthetic cannabinoids to help people protect themselves and recognize when a purportedly natural cannabis product isn’t.
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As is often the case with agents which end up being used unethically, research into the compounds began with a medical purpose.
Later, when developed as recreational drugs, it was to seek a way around prohibition and take advantage of people’s interest in marijuana, so their presence in some ways came about BECAUSE of the Drug Wars.
In any event, many are NOT safe…
“…there is a higher risk of side effects, overdose, and even death. The products are largely unregulated, meaning the chemical contents are highly unreliable and may affect each person differently.
Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
There are three main types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids [made in a laboratory and often not constituents in natural cannabis].
Our body manufactures endocannabinoids, and the marijuana plant produces phytocannabinoids.
…they are nothing new. Dr.’s have been using cannabinoids such as Marinol (synthetic THC) since the 1980s.
…cannabinoids used in synthetic marijuana are significantly different from those in natural marijuana. They are thought to be up to hundreds of times more powerful….
‘…in 2007 or so, we started seeing people coming into ERs saying they smoked marijuana, but they had these really bizarre symptoms.’
Today, most synthetic marijuana is manufactured in China. There are hundreds of variants, e.g., Spice, K2, Black Mamba, Blaze, and Yucatan Fire.
While nobody has ever died of a marijuana overdose, at least 20 deaths have been linked to synthetic cannabinoids.”
Again, stay tuned… …we have NO reason to believe they’re common or even around here, however, If we hear more, we’ll share more…
TRUCE: The more you know….
#MMJ #CBDhempoil #Crackdown #Spice #SyntheticCannabinoids #UTpol #TRUCE
See full article – What is Synthetic Marijuana? – Leaf Science
