Spice is a brand name for a mixture of herbs that has been sold in smartshops in Europe, Canada and other parts of the world since around 2002, purportedly as an incense, as well as over the Internet as an "herbal smoking blend". Even though the manufacturer officially warns against human ingestion of Spice, it is usually smoked for its cannabis-like effects which are believed to be caused by a mixture of synthetic cannabinoid drugs. Several different "flavours" of Spice have been marketed which have been shown to contain different proportions of the synthetic cannabinoid active ingredients, and reportedly produce subtly different effects.
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Ingredients
Spice was claimed by the manufacturers to contain a mixture of traditionally used medicinal herbs, each of which supposedly produces mild effects with the overall blend resulting in the cannabis-like intoxication produced by the product. Herbs listed on the packaging include Canavalia maritima, Nymphaea caerulea, Scutellaria nana, Pedicularis densiflora, Leonotis leonurus, Zornia latifolia, Nelumbo nucifera and Leonurus sibiricus. However when the product was analysed by laboratories in Germany and elsewhere, it was found that many of the characteristic "fingerprint" molecules expected to be present from the claimed plant ingredients could not be located, and also there were large amounts of synthetic tocopherol present. This suggested that the actual ingredients might not be the same as what was listed on the packet, and a German government risk assessment of the product conducted in November 2008 concluded that it was unclear what the actual plant ingredients were, where the synthetic tocopherol had come from, and whether the subjective cannabis-like effects were actually produced by any of the claimed plant ingredients or instead might possibly be caused by a synthetic cannabinoid drug.[1]
Synthetic cannabinoid ingredients
On December 15 2008, it was announced by German pharmaceutical company THCPharm, that JWH-018 had been found as one of the active components in at least three versions of the supposedly "herbal" smoking blend, cannabis substitute drug Spice, which had been sold in a number of countries around the world since 2002 as an "incense" or legal substitute for marijuana.[2][3][4][5]
On January 19 2009, it was announced by the University of Freiburg in Germany that the other main active substance in Spice is an undisclosed analogue of the synthetic cannabinoid CP 47,497.[6] On the 22nd January 2009, CP 47,497 along with its dimethylhexyl, dimethyloctyl and dimethylnonyl homologues, were added to the German controlled drug schedules ("Betäubungsmittelgesetz").[7][8] Different ratios of JWH-018 and CP 47,497 and their analogues had apparently been used in the various different varieties of Spice.
Another potent synthetic cannabinoid, HU-210, has been reported to have been found in Spice seized by the US Customs & Border Protection.[9] However, this has yet to be confirmed and the test results have not been made available to the public.
Competing Products
A large number of competing products made by other manufacturers appeared shortly after the emergence of spice. Of these products "Smoke" and "Skunk" were found to contain both JWH-018 and oleamide [10]. However, the ingredients of many other market competitors are still unknown.
Legal status
Austria
The Austrian Ministry of Health announced on 18 December 2008 that Spice would be controlled under Paragraph 78 of their drug law on the grounds that it contains an active substance which affects the functions of the body, and the legality of JWH-018 is under review.[11][12][13]
Estonia
The Minister of Social Affairs has signed a draft regulation, adding synthetic cannabinoids to the list of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Thus the import/export, sale and possession of Spice and its analogues will be treated as a drug-related offense according to the Penal Code. 27.06.09
Latvia
Spice is legal in Latvia.
Germany
JWH-018, CP 47,497 and the C6, C8 and C9 homologues of CP 47,497 are illegal in Germany since 22nd of January 2009.[8][14]
Finland
Spice blends are classified as a medicine in Finland and therefore it's illegal to order them without a prescription. In practice it's not possible to get a prescription.
France
JWH-018, CP 47,497 (and its homologues) and HU-210 were all made illegal in France on 24th of February 2009.[15]
Chile
The Chilean Ministry of Health on April 24, 2009 declared the sale of Spice to be illegal.[16]
Poland
JWH-018 and many of the herbs mentioned on the fictional ingredient lists (in Spice and similar drugs) have been made illegal in May 2009. The bill was accepted by Polish Sejm (for - 404, against - 5, and 2 abstent)[3] [4], Polish Senat [5] and was signed by the president [6] .
Russia
On April 9, 2009 Chief Medical Officer of Russian Federation has issued a resolution on reinforcement of control of smoking mixtures sales. These mixtures, marketed under trade names AM-HI-CO, Dream, Spice (Gold, Diamond), Zoom, Ex-ses, Pep Spice, Yucatan Fire and others, are declared to contain Diviner’s Sage, Havaian Rose and Blue Lotus and are prohibited for sales. These substances have been found to have "psychotropic, narcotic effects, contain poisonous components and represent potential threat for humans". The resolution does not mention JWH-018 or other synthetic cannabinoids.[17]
South Korea
Customs has started denying its entry into the country since about February, 2009. As of July 1st 2009, South Korea has officially added JWH-018 and HU-210 to the controlled substance list, effectively making these chemicals illegal.
Republic of Ireland
Spice is legal in the republic at present.
Worldwide
In most other countries these synthetic cannabinoid compounds and "herbal smoking blends" such as Spice remain legal at present.
USN & USMC
The use of any natural substance, with the intent to induce intoxication, excitement, or stupefaction of the central nervous system by United States Sailors or Marines is prohibited by SECNAVINST 5300.28D and OPNAVINST 5350.4C. Punitive action, under Article 92 of the UCMJ can result in adverse administrative action.
See also
External links
- Erowid
- Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice' (msn news)
- Germany bans drug "Spice" (The Seattle Times)
References
- ^ BfR rät vom Konsum der Kräutermischung „Spice“ ab. (German)
- ^ THCPharm analysis of Spice (German)
- ^ Gefährlicher Kick mit Spice (German)
- ^ Erstmals Bestandteile der Modedroge „Spice“ nachgewiesen (German)
- ^ Spice enthält chemischen Wirkstoff (German)
- ^ Hauptwirkstoff von "Spice" identifiziert January 19, 2009 (German)
- ^ Modedroge "Spice" ist verboten! (German)
- ^ a b BGBl I Nr. 3 vom 21.01.2009, 22. BtMÄndV vom 19. Januar 2009, S. 49–50.
- ^ “SPICE” - PLANT MATERIAL(S) LACED WITH SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS OR CANNABINOID MIMICKING COMPOUNDS (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)
- ^ http://www.synchronium.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/spiceanalysis.pdf
- ^ Kräutermischung "Spice": Gesundheitsministerium stoppt Handel (German) 18 December 2008
- ^ Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice'
- ^ Gesundheitsministerium setzt Maßnahme zum Verbot von "Spice" (German)
- ^ Betäubungsmittelrecht: Modedroge Spice wird per Eilverordnung verboten (German)
- ^ [1]
- ^ Chile prohibe uso de spice, La Nacion 24 de Abril 2009.(Spanish)
- ^ [2](Russian)
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