BARELY LEGAL: DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES UNDER THE REGULATORY RADAR MICHAEL NERNEY and ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 93 Long Lake, NY 12847 -0093 (518) 624-5351 mcnerneyLL@frontiernet.net CONTEXT Legal Issues Federal Analogue Act 21 U.S.C Sect. 813 of the United States Controlled Substances Act, allows any chemical “substantially similar” to an illegal drug (Schedule I or II) to be treated as a Schedule I. Must be intended for human consumption. It’s About the Money Packaging Comments Not for human consumption Not for sale in the US Not to be sold to persons under 18 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Not new development More than 100 years Synthesis Extraction and synthesis since the 1850’s Aspirin, morphine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine Semi-synthetics Heroin Analogues A new form of designer drug 1960’s and 70’s hundreds of new drugs 80’s and 90’s new analogues each year Tango and Cash, China White THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN FACTOR Emotional Intensity Ages 11 – 24 years Amygdala Hormones Larger and more active 2 to 4 times https://images.nonexiste.net/popular/2012/03/30/diffusionspectrum-imaging-reveals-an-orderly-weave-of-nerve-fibers-in-thebrain/ THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN FACTOR, CON’T. Risk Taking and Peers Change at 13 years old New sites appear in brain Emotional reward for risk taking Peer influence BRAIN FACTOR, CON’T. Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube Instant information Personal communication Possibly anonymous Nearly every young person has access THE PRODUCTS: MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS Cannabinoids 3 experimental strands: JWH-073, JWH-018, 200, 250 CP 47, CP 80 HU-210 Clemson University John W. Huffman MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: RESEARCH APPLICATION Animal Studies Medical Use of Cannabinoids Pain management Appetite regulation No human clinical trials Tested on primates and rodents MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: DIVERTED TO THE PUBLIC K2, Spice, Blond, Standard, Spice Gold, Zohai, Genie 3-4 years under radar 2009 testing showed few herbal compounds New synthetic cannabinoids discovered (knockoff) MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: LEGAL STATUS Not legal in NYS Distribution Possession http://www.floridaconnectsinc.com/florida-homes-auction-method-salesselling-auction-method-work/court-gavel MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: EFFECTS Physical Rapid onset Dilated pupils Time distortion Speech may be confused and non-responsive http://saypeople.com/2011/11/04/pupil-reflexes-without-brain-messaging/ MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: EFFECTS, CON’T Social/Emotional Bouts of laughter Interference with color and sound http://beckyland.wo rdpress.com/tag/sy nesthesia/ MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: EFFECTS, CON’T Behavioral Increased appetite Cognitive deficiencies In vulnerable individuals: May lead to psychosis May deepen depression MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: SIGNIFICANT RISKS Addiction Anandamide influence High potency – more activity in CB1 and CB2 sites May lead to dependency and addiction Tolerance Withdrawal Compulsion Loss of Control Continued Use Despite Consequences MARIJUANA SYNTHETICS: SIGNIFICANT RISKS, CONT Non-responsive High dose – no divided attention Operation of any moving vehicle Not attentive to environmental risks Cognitive impact Measurable impact on memory and learning Potential paranoia and/or psychotic break Testing Requires specialized and sophisticated drug testing MARIJUANA SUBSTITUTES Wicked X, Posh, Dank, K2 Compliant, Shakabuku, Kush, Bombay Blue, Aztec Gold “Not for human consumption” Sold as potpourri or aromatherapy Discreet shipping Blend of herbal compounds may include: Canavalia rosea, Clematis vitalba, Nelumbo nucifera, Pedicularis grandifolia, Heimia salicifolia, Leonurus sibiricus and Ledum palustre, Damiana, Lavender, Baybean, Yerba Mate MARIJUANA SUBSTITUTES: LEGAL STATUS Legal in many states Available on reservation Expensive product for mild high MARIJUANA SUBSTITUTES: EFFECTS Physical Mild mental stimulation Body relaxation Social/Emotional Relaxation Laughter Behavioral Disconnected MARIJUANA SUBSTITUTES: RISKS Lung function Joints, blunts, pipes, bongs Vaporizers Unknown herbal products Damiana Yerba Mate Loaded Blunts Herbals plus smokable: Marijuana Heroin Cocaine Methamphetamine Ketamine SALVIA DIVINORUM Diviner’s Sage Legal Status Source – Mexico/Florida Sun Pharm Potency ratings 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 30x Salvinorin A Extract available Psychoactive compound SALVIA DIVINORUM: EFFECTS Physical Mild to moderate stimulation 5-10 minute duration Uncoordinated Social/Emotional Tactile, auditory and visual hallucinations Extended bouts of laughter Confusion and fearfulness SALVIA DIVINORUM: EFFECTS, CONT. Behavioral Restless Non-responsive No impulse control At risk when unsupervised Motor control Depth perception SALVIA DIVINORUM: RISKS AND TESTING YouTube – Salvia Bad Trips Highly unpredictable Random rapid movements Injury to self or others Non-responsive to intervention Fatal accidents and falls Testing is limited BATH SALTS Vanilla Skye, Red Dove, Blue Silk, Ocean Burst Not for Human Consumption Smoked, snorted, oral Injected BATH SALTS, CONT Contents: Mephedrone Plant food Similar to amphetamine MDPV Similar to Ritalin Party enhancer Mimics ecstasy TFMPP Hallucinogenic Less powerful BATH SALTS: EFFECTS Physical Increased heart rate and blood pressure Stimulant, high energy Restlessness Decreased appetite Impaired sleep Social/Emotional Euphoria Excitement Alertness Increased sexuality Behavioral Manic Repetitive behaviors BATH SALTS: RISKS Unpredictable Agitation and fearfulness Sleep deficits Aggressive paranoia Psychosis Seizures Coma Suicidal ideation BATH SALTS: LEGAL STATUS AND TESTING Illegal to distribute or possess Except for TFMPP 2C-I Testing is specialized ALCOHOL: NEW PRODUCTS Alcohol treats Pocket Shots ALCOHOL: NEW PRODUCTS, CONT. Malt Beverages Malt brewed beer Sugars Flavors 20 – 24 ounces 7 – 13% alcohol ALCOHOL: ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION Oral Mucous membranes Inhalation ALCOHOL: OTHER PRODUCTS Hand Sanitizer Infused Marijuana ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE MIX. Impact on Brain Two systems activated Stimulatory – caffeine Biphasic – alcohol Harvard University study “Wide Awake Drunk” ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE: RISK FACTORS Physical Energized Uncoordinated 30% drop in glucose uptake in motor cortex 30% drop in glucose uptake in visual cortex Slower reaction time ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE: RISK FACTORS, CONT. Behavioral Sense of competence Aggressive social interactions Twice as likely to suffer physical injury Twice as likely to get in fights Twice as likely to be either a victim or a perpetrator of sexual assault ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE: RISK FACTORS High risk when operating any moving vehicle Auto/motorcycle 32% of all crashes alcohol-related Boat 60% of fatalities alcohol-related Bike/skateboard High risk: Swimming Heights Parties ALCOHOL AND OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS Robo-shots Dextromethorphan Opioid cough suppressant Plus alcohol Rapid and powerful intoxication Motor control Impulse control Delusional ALCOHOL AND PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATIONS Oxycontin Vicodin Roxanol Opana ALCOHOL AND HEROIN Pain Medication Street Drug Routes of Administration RISK FACTORS Addiction Infection Overdose EMPATHOGENS Molly MDMA Mollylicious •PMMA •MDMA •Methamphetamine •Caffeine •Methylsulfonylmethan e •Safrole •7 •6 •5 •2 •1 •1 May 26, 2012 EMPATHOGENS 2c-I Smiles Several Fatal Events FROM THE KITCHEN Nutmeg Long lasting Side effects Hallucinogenic HALLUCINOGENS DMT Dimethyltriptamine Businessman's Lunch WRAP UP Substantial uncertainty regarding actual ingredients Possible contaminants and/or toxins No accurate measurement of potency Unpredictable response No human trials No information regarding long-term health consequences