Synthetic Cannabis

Synthetic Cannabis is a new psychoactive substance that was originally designed to mimic or produce similar effects to cannabis and has been sold online since 2004.
However, some of the newer substances claiming to be synthetic cannabis do not actually mimic the effects of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis).

The chemicals usually vary and are regularly changed by manufacturers trying to stay ahead of the law.  This also makes it difficult for onsite screening tests to reliably test for synthetic cannabis.

Slang names  Spice was the earliest in a series of synthetic cannabis products sold.
Since then a number of similar products have been developed, such as Kronic, K2, Northern Lights, Mojo, Lightning Gold, Blue Lotus and Godfather.

How is it used?

It’s most commonly smoked and is sometimes drunk as a tea.

Visible signs of potential use of Synthetic Cannabis:
There is limited information available about its short- and long-term effects.

• Fast and irregular heartbeat

• Racing thoughts

• Agitation, anxiety and paranoia

• Psychosis

• Aggressive and violent behaviour

• Chest pain

• Vomiting

• Seizures, stroke

Please note the effects listed in this information do not automatically indicate that a person is under the influence of illicit drugs. This is only a guide to the possibility.