Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana

Capt Donna Daniels, GLR DDRC and Capt Donna Daniels, GLR DDRC and WIWG DDRAWIWG DDRA

What is Synthetic What is Synthetic MarijuanaMarijuana First created in mid-First created in mid-

1990s1990s

John W. Huffam, John W. Huffam, Organic Chemist, Organic Chemist, Clemson UniversityClemson University

JWH-018JWH-018

Marketed as incense, Marketed as incense, resembles potpourriresembles potpourri

Believed to be first used Believed to be first used in Europein Europe

Street NamesStreet NamesSPICESPICE

K2K2Fake MarijuanaFake MarijuanaYucantan FireYucantan FireSkunkSkunkMoon RocksMoon RocksBath SaltsBath SaltsMany other namesMany other names

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Warnings and ConcernsWarnings and Concerns

FDA concerned about the psychoactive FDA concerned about the psychoactive episodesepisodes

DEA used its authority to temporarily DEA used its authority to temporarily schedule it as a Schedule I Drug early schedule it as a Schedule I Drug early March 2011.March 2011.

Marketing labelsMarketing labels Inexpensive--$30-$40 per 3 gram bagInexpensive--$30-$40 per 3 gram bag Poison control centers-2,000 reports since Poison control centers-2,000 reports since

2010-many symptoms were life 2010-many symptoms were life threateningthreatening

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Chemistry of JWH-018Chemistry of JWH-018 JWH-018 is a synthetic cannabinoid agonistJWH-018 is a synthetic cannabinoid agonist JWH–018 is likely to have the same effects in JWH–018 is likely to have the same effects in

humans as Δ9-tetrahydocannabinol (Δ9-THC).humans as Δ9-tetrahydocannabinol (Δ9-THC).   Behavioral pharmacology studies show that Behavioral pharmacology studies show that

JWH-018 has Δ9-THC-like activity in animalsJWH-018 has Δ9-THC-like activity in animals In mice, it decreases overall activity, In mice, it decreases overall activity,

produces analgesia, decreases body produces analgesia, decreases body temperature and produces catalepsytemperature and produces catalepsy

These four effects are used by scientists to These four effects are used by scientists to predict Δ9-THC-like psychoactivity in predict Δ9-THC-like psychoactivity in humanshumans

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Affects on the BrainAffects on the Brain

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Affects on the BrainAffects on the Brain

THC enters the brain, it causes the user THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric by acting on the brain’s to feel euphoric by acting on the brain’s reward systemreward system

Attaches to dopamine receptors in the Attaches to dopamine receptors in the brainbrain

Euphoria and relaxation are not the only Euphoria and relaxation are not the only feelings generated from the use of THCfeelings generated from the use of THC

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Affects on the BrainAffects on the Brain

Other reactions--heightened sensory Other reactions--heightened sensory perception, laughter, altered perception, laughter, altered perception to time, and increase in perception to time, and increase in appetiteappetite

Once Euphoric feelings wear off, the Once Euphoric feelings wear off, the user often times experiences user often times experiences sleepiness, depression, anxiety, fear, sleepiness, depression, anxiety, fear, distrust, or panicdistrust, or panic

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

Where can you find Where can you find Synthetic Marijuana?Synthetic Marijuana?

Spice, and its related products are Spice, and its related products are sold in many countries, including the sold in many countries, including the United States. United States.

These products are found in:These products are found in: head shopshead shops gas stationsgas stations tobacco outletstobacco outlets via the internet. via the internet.

    Easy access has been contributed to Easy access has been contributed to the popularity of these items the popularity of these items 

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

What can you do?What can you do?

Approximately 43% of high school seniors Approximately 43% of high school seniors have reported using fake marijuana. This is have reported using fake marijuana. This is a problem. What can we do?a problem. What can we do?

  We can become educated on the fake We can become educated on the fake marijuana, its products, and the street marijuana, its products, and the street names. names.

  Study the signs of substance use and Study the signs of substance use and abuse.abuse.

  Begin having conversations with youth Begin having conversations with youth about the harms of substance use.about the harms of substance use.

Hometown Citizens - Homeland Heroes

  Begin asking questions is you Begin asking questions is you identify changes in your young identify changes in your young person, or their friends.person, or their friends.

  Do not be afraid to ask questions Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek professional opinion.and seek professional opinion.

Since JWH-018 is illegal in the Since JWH-018 is illegal in the United States, report any instances United States, report any instances to law enforcement professionalsto law enforcement professionals