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K2 - Kronic - Synthetic Cannabis - Fake Marijuana Information sheet
Kronic - K2
The Spice Drug or Synthetic cannabis is an herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of
cannabis. It is best known by the brand names K2 and Spice. When synthetic cannabis products first
went on sale it was thought that they achieved an effect through a mixture of legal herbs. Laboratory
analysis in 2008 showed this was not the case and that they in fact contained synthetic cannabinoids
which act on the body in a similar way to cannabinoids naturally found in cannabis, such as THC.
Synthetic cannabinoids, including cannabicyclohexanol, JWH-018, JWH-073, and HU-210, are used
in an attempt to avoid the laws which make cannabis illegal, making synthetic cannabis a designer
drug. It has been sold under various brand names, online, in head shops and at some gas stations.
It is marketed as an incense or "herbal smoking blend", but the products are usually smoked by
users. Although synthetic cannabis does not produce positive results in drug tests for cannabis, it is
possible to detect its metabolites in human urine. The synthetic cannabinoids contained in synthetic
cannabis products have been made illegal in many European countries, but remain legal under
federal law in the USA. Several US states have made it illegal under state law. In Australia all States
and territories have legislated to ban or schedule the subastances found in K2 and the various other
synthetic Cannabinoids brands.
Spice Drug FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Drug Spice
and Spice Drug Testing
What are synthetic cannabinoids?
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the effect of THC, the principle active
ingredient of cannabis. Like THC, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and were initially
developed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of pain. However, these psychoactive research
chemicals are frequently being sprayed on herbal mixtures and sold as “fake weed” or “synthetic
marijuana.” JWH-018 and JWH-073 are the two most common synthetic cannabinoid chemicals
found in a variety of herbal smoking blends. Others like JWH-250, JWH-081 and CP47, 497 have also
started appearing in some products and preparations.
How are synthetic cannabinoids being used?
Legal in most states, JWH-018 and JWH-073 are the two most popular synthetic cannabinoids used
today. Reportedly offering a high 4 times stronger than marijuana, JWH-018 and JWH-073 are
commonly associated with herbal smoke and incense products sold under names like K2, Spice,
Serenity and others.
Synthetic cannabinoid chemicals are often laced in the herbal smoking products that are readily
available via the Internet and in many “head-shops” around the country. Users looking for a “legal
high” often turn to these herbal smoking or incense products because they do not show up on a
standard urine drug test.
Users smoke the product by wrapping joints, smoking it in pipes, or inhaling fumes via vaporizers.
Users also report that herbal blends or pure chemical concoctions can be ingested with an infusion or
solvent process; purportedly allowing them to manage the potency and dose of the active
ingredient(s).
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What are the effects of using synthetic cannabinoids like JWH-018, JWH-073,
JWH-250 and others?
JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250 and other similar chemicals are the primary synthetic cannabinoid
receptor agonists responsible for the euphoric and psychoactive effects that imitate marijuana and
are among the numerous compounds found in herbal incense and smoke blends. These synthetic
cannabinoids do not contain cannabis but produce effects reported up to 4 times the strength of
THC/marijuana. Users indicate the high comes on slow at first, then with surprising potency. There
have been many reports about the adverse effects including agitation, rapid heart rate, confusion,
dizziness and nausea. Long-term effects from these research chemicals are unknown.
What herbal incense brand names are being used?
Users looking for a “legal high” often turn to popular herbal smoking products marketed under brand
names such as K2, K3, Spice, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Buzz, Pulse, Hush, Mystery, Earthquake,
Ocean Blue, Stinger, Serenity and many many others.
Testing for the detection of JWH-018 and JWH-073 metabolites in urine. JWH-018 and JWH-073 are
the primary synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists responsible for the euphoric and psychoactive
effects that imitate marijuana and are among the numerous compounds found in “herbal” incense or
smoke blends.
JWH-compounds are now being sprayed on herbal material and sold as “fake weed” or “synthetic
marijuana.” Users looking for a “legal high” often turn to popular herbal smoking products marketed
under brand names such as K2, K3, Spice, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Buzz, Pulse, Hush, Mystery,
Earthquake, Ocean Blue, Stinger, Serenity and many others.
Andatech Corporation Pty Ltd | www.andatech.com.au
P: +613 8877 0700 | F: +613 9874 5486
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Andatech Corporation Pty Ltd | www.andatech.com.au
P: +613 8877 0700 | F: +613 9874 5486
Page 3 of 3