K2, Spice and Black Mamba

Synthetic cannabinoids that are related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were developed by pharmaceutical companies and Universities in the 1980s and 90s to investigate the endogenous cannabinoid system. But have now been manufactured by illicit drug labs, increasingly from China and India, and sold online as a "legal high" as there is a delay in Drug Enforcement Agency adding the more than 400 potential different types of synthetic cannabinoids to their database of illegal drugs.

Synthetic cannabinoids are between 2 to 100X as potent as THC and thus much more toxic. They have caused seizures, hallucinations, psychosis and even deaths. The common street names for these drugs include" K2" (the second highest peak in the world), "Spice" and "Black Mamba". Just last month over 30 people in Brooklyn NY were rushed to hospital due to synthetic cannabinoids use.

Synthetic Cannabinoids and Driving

This latest study compared drivers impaired by synthetic cannabinoids and botanical marijuana in Arizona between 2010 and 2012. The following Table lists some of the more interesting differences between these 2 types of drugs.

The study recommends that Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) should request crime labs test for synthetic cannabinoids based on case history and drivers whose physical examination reveals greater impairment such as confusion, disorientation and incoherent speech.

Conclusion

Drivers under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids showed greater impairment (confusion, disorientation, and incoherent slurred speech) than drivers under the influence of marijuana in the population evaluated by DREs. These physical findings of synthetic cannabinoid intoxication and driver impairment are incompatible with safe driving and have the potential to lead to morbidity and mortality.

Reference

Chase, P.B., Hawkins, J., Mosier, J., Jimenez, E., Boesen, K., Logan, B.K., and Walter, F.G., "Differential Physiological and Behavioral Cues Observed in Individuals Smoking Botanical Marijuana versus Synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs", Clinical Toxicology, 54(1): 14-19, 2016

Update

Another recent study was conducted of 58 suspected impaired drivers (95% male, age range 18-61 years) who tested positive for 2 particular synthetic cannabinoids (AB-CHMINACA and AB-PINACA) in Washington State during 2014. DREs were conducted on 10 drivers and the results are compared with plant cannabis in the following Table

A large proportion of drivers intoxicated by SCs have Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) which typically doesn't occur in drivers impaired by marijuana. It was found also the HGN occurred mainly at lower blood concentrations of SCs rather than at the higher concentrations, which is contrary to that found with alcohol, in which HGN increases with increasing BAC.

The study also found that blood pressure tended to be lower than occurs with cannabis use.

The authors concluded:

The majority of these cases had very poor driving; subjects were involved in an accident, found passed out in a vehicle or were called in as a suspected impaired driver. Slurred speech, confusion, lack of coordination/dexterity and lethargy were commonly observed.

References

Peterson, B.L., and Couper, F.J., "Concentrations of AB-CHMINACA and AB-PINACA and Driving Behavior in Suspected Impaired Driving Cases", Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 39: 642-647, 2015

YouTube Video

Watch my YouTube video about the effect of THC and synthetic cannabinoids on driving at https://youtu.be/cRShEenjW6M





Wigmore on Cannabis

Or you can purchase my recent book, which has a chapter on synthetic cannabinoids at my website at:

www.wigmoreonalcohol.com