Media Tip Sheet: Synthetic

“Synthetic ”, “Spice”, and “K2” it perpetuates the myth that these What is are a few common yet misleading terms substances are alike. Similarly, “Spice” for a class of substances more accurately and “K2”, popular brand names from “synthetic called synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic when synthetic cannabinoids were still cannabinoids often act on many of the legal, could now refer to any number of marijuana”? same receptors in the brain as THC, the different synthetic cannabinoids, each active ingredient in marijuana. However, with different and inconsistent effects. synthetic cannabinoids work more strongly on those receptors, and may EXAMPLE PHRASING contribute to unpleasant effects – like “A man was hospitalized after , increased heart rate, , having a bad reaction from smoking and – more often than seen K2, a common term for synthetic with marijuana use.1 We urge not using products. What’s called the term “synthetic marijuana” because “K2” could actually be any one of hundreds of synthetic cannabinoids.”

Synthetic cannabinoid products began risks and reducing rates of Are synthetic appearing mid-2000s, prompting states usage.3 Instead, their enforcement to pass various laws banning their sale. disproportionately impacts black cannabinoids In 2012, the Synthetic Abuse and brown communities and drives Prevention Act placed many synthetic mass incarceration. legal? cannabinoids into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).2 EXAMPLE PHRASING However, manufactures can easily skirt “ In practice, federal and state laws specific bans by making small changes banning synthetic cannabinoids to the chemical formulas, producing do little for prevention while newer synthetic cannabinoids that are disproportionately impacting not yet scheduled. These laws have communities of color and driving proven to be ineffective in preventing mass incarceration.”

Since standard drug testing currently the ongoing prohibition of marijuana; Who’s using only tests for THC found in plant-based most people would be less likely to marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids go use if legally regulated marijuana were synthetic undetected. This appeals to people accessible to them.4 subjected to drug testing, like active cannabinoid military personnel, professional athletes, EXAMPLE PHRASING people on parole, and people in “ Synthetic cannabinoid products are products like monitored treatment for substance misuse. often chosen due to their low cost Additionally, synthetic cannabinoid and their ability to fly under the radar “Spice” and products offer homeless and low-income of drug tests. Most users would people a cheap, accessible alternative choose marijuana if it were a legally “K2” and why? to marijuana. The synthetic cannabinoid accessible option.” market meets a demand created by Producers and manufacturers are hallucinations in a way that isn’t seen What risks are constantly changing the chemical with marijuana.5 However, because of formulas in an effort to skirt the law, limited research, we know very little associated leading to products that often contain an about long term impact or addictive inconsistent and unreliable combination potential at this point. with synthetic of synthetic cannabinoids. Additionally, due to the lack of regulation, precise EXAMPLE PHRASING cannabinoid dosing or mixing of chemicals vary “ Synthetic cannabinoids pose widely. It’s impossible to know exactly greater potential risks to users use? what chemicals, and how much of them, than marijuana, and due to lack of are in any given batch. Emergency regulation, it’s near impossible to rooms report visits relating to synthetic know exactly what chemicals, and cannabinoid products for agitation, how much of them are in any given increased heart rate, nausea, and strong synthetic cannabinoid product.”

criminalized; they need housing, 4. Create regulation What can be job opportunities, and access to Synthetic cannabinoids are largely treatment. Also, harm reduction- untested and their effects and potential done to prevent oriented information should be provided medical applications are often to service providers who work with unknown. The creation of a regulatory these risks? vulnerable communities so that they body like the Food and Drug are equipped to deal with acute Administration (FDA) would allow for intoxication episodes compassionately health and safety testing as well as In addition to being ineffective, and effectively. regulation.6 This health-oriented approach prohibition has contributed to the would do far more to protect the public ever-changing and continuously 2. Provide comprehensive than would continued criminalization. growing catalog of synthetic drug education about emerging cannabinoids available in the substances EXAMPLE PHRASING unregulated underground market. This should not only alert people to “To better protect the public from Alternative approaches to the potential risks but also give them the risks associated with synthetic challenges these substances strategies to stay safe if they choose cannabinoids, drug policy experts present include: to use. stress the importance of providing outreach and services to the 1. Provide outreach and services 3. Legalize marijuana vulnerable populations that are most for vulnerable populations Synthetic cannabinoid products are impacted, as well as comprehensive Synthetic cannabinoids are most mostly used as a substitute for natural drug education to the public. commonly used by those suffering plant-based marijuana. Legalizing Furthermore, legalizing marijuana from chaotic life situations, like people marijuana would reduce much of the would go a long way to reduce struggling with mental health issues, demand for synthetic cannabinoids by the overall demand for synthetic the homeless, and low-income earners. offering people a legal, accessible, cannabinoids to begin with.” These populations don’t need to be and far safer option.

For more information, Endnotes please see: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582439/ www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts 2. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s3190/text www.drugpolicy.org/news 3. http://www.npr.org/2012/07/12/156615024/fake-pot-is-a-real-problem-for-regulators or email: Tony Newman, 4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234067192_Synthetic_Cannabis_A_comparison_of_ Media Relations Director patterns_of_use_and_effect_profile_with_natural_Cannabis_in_a_large_global_sample [email protected] 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3567606/ 6. http://www.vice.com/read/why-america-needs-an-fda-for-recreational--813