Synthetic Marijuana
Capt Donna Daniels, GLR DDRC and WIWG
DDRA
What is Synthetic Marijuana
First created in mid-1990s
John W. Huffam, Organic
Chemist, Clemson University
JWH-018
Marketed as incense, resembles
potpourri
Believed to be first used in
Europe
Street Names
SPICE
K2
Fake
Marijuana
Yucantan Fire
Skunk
Moon Rocks
Bath Salts
Many other names
Warnings and Concerns
FDA concerned about the psychoactive
episodes
 DEA used its authority to temporarily schedule
it as a Schedule I Drug early March 2011.
 Marketing labels
 Inexpensive--$30-$40 per 3 gram bag
 Poison control centers-2,000 reports since 2010many symptoms were life threatening

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Chemistry of JWH-018
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JWH-018 is a synthetic cannabinoid agonist
JWH–018 is likely to have the same effects in
humans as Δ9-tetrahydocannabinol (Δ9-THC).
Behavioral pharmacology studies show that
JWH-018 has Δ9-THC-like activity in animals
In mice, it decreases overall activity, produces
analgesia, decreases body temperature and
produces catalepsy
These four effects are used by scientists to
predict Δ9-THC-like psychoactivity in humans
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Affects on the Brain
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Affects on the Brain
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THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric
by acting on the brain’s reward system
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Attaches to dopamine receptors in the brain
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Euphoria and relaxation are not the only feelings
generated from the use of THC
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Affects on the Brain
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Other reactions--heightened sensory perception,
laughter, altered perception to time, and increase
in appetite
Once Euphoric feelings wear off, the user often
times experiences sleepiness, depression, anxiety,
fear, distrust, or panic
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Where can you find Synthetic
Marijuana?
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Spice, and its related products are sold in many
countries, including the United States.
These products are found in:
head shops
 gas stations
 tobacco outlets
 via the internet.
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Easy access has been contributed to the
popularity of these items
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What can you do?
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Approximately 43% of high school seniors have
reported using fake marijuana. This is a problem.
What can we do?
We can become educated on the fake
marijuana, its products, and the street names.
Study the signs of substance use and abuse.
Begin having conversations with youth about
the harms of substance use.
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Begin asking questions is you identify changes
in your young person, or their friends.
Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek
professional opinion.
Since JWH-018 is illegal in the United States,
report any instances to law enforcement
professionals
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