Magic Dragon, Spice, Kronic, Purple Haze, Northern Lights, Dust, Serenity, Pulse, Hush, K2, K3, Mystery, Earthquake, Ocean Blue, Genie, Stroke! Do any of these names ring a bell?
What do they all have in common? Well, in street talk, "they all get you severely wasted" - but in laboratory language they all contain at least one of the following compounds: JWH-018, JWH-073, CP-47, or 497. These are chemicals that mimic the effect of THC, the principle active ingredient of cannabis. Just like THC, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain to cause a similar psychoactive response to cannabis - only in some cases many times stronger (depending on the brand/type).
This 'fake weed' is made by spraying the chemical compounds (JWH-018, etc.) on a variety of herbal smoking blends that would otherwise not cause such an effect. There is no physical resemblance to cannabis and these blends do not smell like cannabis when smoked or burnt. In most cases these blends are sold as incense and marked "not for human consumption", so one can only wonder what damage these chemicals are capable of causing.
HISTORY: A chemical substance was first synthesized in 1995 in a university laboratory in the USA purely for experimental purposes. The synthetic substance JWH-018 (a cannabinoid receptor agonist) has fascinated chemists because the chemical structure is nothing like THC and yet produces a similar effect.
This chemical substance is now being used by people all over the world to get a marijuana-like high and is causing concern among health officials as nothing is known about possible toxicity.
Questions & Answers
Q: Is this substance legal? Where is it sold?
A: At present it is legal in Australia (although authorities are working towards having it banned). It can be purchased on the internet and at a variety of herbal shops and markets throughout the country.
Q: Are the effects really like normal pot?
A: The effects are very similar to cannabis, reportedly up to 4 times stronger but perhaps not lasting as long.
Q: How are these products being used?
A: These "legal herbs" are being smoked in much the same way as cannabis – in joints, cigarettes, pipes, water bongs, and atomizers.
Q: Is the substance safe to use?
A: Very little is known about the side effects on health. Because the substance is a synthesized chemical there is concern among health officials. There is no recommended dose; in fact, the warning on the packet specifies that it is “not for human consumption”. Therefore it is highly probable the substance is harmful to health.
Q: How is this synthetic cannabis manufactured?
A: The liquid chemical JWH-018 (and other similar compounds) is manufactured in a laboratory and distributed (mainly out of China) to various parts of the world where it is sprayed onto "smoking herbs", packaged and sold as 1, 2 or 3 gram packets carrying a range of names as noted above.
Q: If the effects are similar to cannabis and yet it is not cannabis how does this chemical work?
A: The most common compounds, JWH-018 and JWH-073, are synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (a neurotransmitter or drug that triggers a response by binding to specific cell receptors) that cause the same euphoric and psychoactive effects that imitate marijuana.
Q: Are there any known adverse side effects?
A: There have been many reports of adverse effects such as rapid heart rate, confusion, agitation, dizziness and nausea. The American Association of Poison Control Centres issued a warning about the dangers of synthetic cannabis products in March 2010. Because these products are legal it is often assumed they are not harmful or less harmful than native cannabis and this is dangerous assumption.
Q: What is the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) position on this?
A: The FDA does not regulate herbal products but maintains that they are not approved for human consumption; without proper ingredient labeling and measured potency, the risk of overdosing is increased. To complicate the labeling issue and dose concerns it is now reported that many popular brands are now counterfeit or fake. These products are certainly not TGA approved in Australia.
Q: Are these substances banned in other countries?
A: In the USA under federal law products containing JWH-018 and JWH-073 are banned in several states and by the US armed forces. On March 1, 2011 The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) exercised its emergency scheduling authority to control five chemicals (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol). A number of European countries including Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Russia as well as South Korea have banned the substances.
Q: Will a conventional urine drug test detect synthetic cannabis?
A: No, this new synthetic compound is not targeted by a standard drug test and to date there is no "instant test" available. However, to detect the compound in urine and they are able to assist companies with introducing this to their Drug & Alcohol test regime.
Q: What are the cut-off levels for these compounds?
A: Cut-off levels have not been determined to date and are not required as results are reported as "detected" or "not detected" and the laboratory outcome is fully supported.
Q: What do employers need to do to ensure this intoxicating compound is not putting workers at risk on worksites?
A: The process in not complicated and may only require minor amendments before control measures can be introduced to identify if the substance is present in your workplace and if so be able to effectively monitor the situation. However, it is important that your policy permits such action.
Q: How long after consumption can the metabolites be detected in urine?
A: The presence of the metabolites in urine confirming the use of these compounds can generally be discovered for up to 72 hours post use (depending on usage and potency). As is the case with THC, the parent compound has not been reported present in human urine to date.
Q: As an employer, what immediate steps should be taken to ensure the continued safety of employees?
A: The team is constantly on the lookout for new or unusual drugs and intoxicating compounds that may infiltrate the work place and action is immediately taken to develop management protocols and discovery methods that will assist employers and employees in maintaining a safe working environment. Focus is not on punitive measures but on every employee’s basic right to a safe working environment, free from the risks associated with intoxication.
