The Illegal Neurotransmitter: Will ‘Spice’ and Related Products be Regulated or Join the Street Pharmacopeia?
(09/19/2010) Due to concerns over the use of ‘Spice’ and similar herbal products sprayed with cannabinoids and other synthetically-derived compounds, government officials have been advising that these substances become controlled drugs. The United States has become concerned with this issue…so much so that even I was recently contacted by the Dr. Phil show for information on ‘Spice’ or “K2″. The current Dr. Phil episode was centered around the issue of the safety of these drugs. With limited scientific information fear and fantasy have started to run rampant, overshadowing other important issues surrounding this synthetic phenomena. There is a lot to discuss and learn about these popular drugs, as other countries are starting to deal with the issue. However, there are no studies on the prevalence of use and we are just starting to understand why people are using this stuff.
Here are some links to background info on ‘Spice’:
1) Facts about new synthetic drugs K2 or Spice
2)Spice prohibition is short sighted
4) Radio interview with Jahan Marcu, PhD about synthetic cannabinoids
The UK attempted to deal with the problem but it was soon realized that the reality of the situation would not yield a politically palatable solution. As the scientific community, at least in the UK, basically suggested regulating these herbal preparation or legalizing Cannabis would be the responsible thing todo - as could decrease demand for synthetic drugs that are in a grey area or not yet illegal. After all, there is no urine test at this time for synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018.
As we review some of this global discussion, we may see what happens when science and politics collide. The immediate effect of bans on designer drugs (aka synthetic herbal preparations) is the prohibition of access for research, requiring a schedule drug license that largely affects university laboratories.
To set the stage for the discussion we should start in late 2009 in the UK. The Gordon Brown government had began to reschedule Cannabis from a less harmful drug to a more harmful drug, carrying with it immense penalties for use. While this anti-Cannabis legislation was being worked out, Spice use seemingly appeared and took off quickly. The reclassification of Cannabis may have given the synthetic cannabinoid industry a push. The government then moved to criminalize all cannabinoids, including natural and synthetic compounds. Scientists began to speak out but the discussion quickly ended when the Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of drugs, Professor Nutt “was sacked after he said that Cannabis is less harmful than nicotine or alcohol and there was no evidence to back the government’s decision to reclassify the drug. “It seems unlikely that any ‘true’ scientist — one who can only speak the truth — will be able to work for this, or future, home secretaries,” Nutt wrote in the Times. The firing of Dr.Nutt sent a message to medical and scientific advisers, that science must fit the governments views or prejudice on the issue. Since then only a handful of scientists have dared published their opinions in scientific and medical journals such as the Lancet and Addiction.
Here is a link to an article on Cannabis by Dr.Nutt : Guardian UK
More links to News Article on UK’s Cannabis reclassification:
1) BBC Science chief backs Cannabis view
2) Nutt vows to setup new Drug body
3)Gordon Brown: I am right to overrule drug advisers
As discussions of Cannabis and cannabinoid regulations continue, more and more prominent scientists are speaking out. Recently a renowned cannabinoid researcher spoke out at a UK science festival. Here’s an exert from the IACM bulletin and links to News Articles:
“Professor Pertwee, who is an eminent expert on cannabis and cannabinoids for 40 years, is a former President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society and a former Chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines. He says that a group should be set up with expert pharmacologists, lawyers and police, amongst others, to thrash out the issue. He wants the “social, ethical, legal and economic factors in addition to current medical and pharmacological” factors to be taken into account: “We need a better solution than we have now.” “You need to avoid younger people taking it: perhaps have a minimum age of 21. You might have to have it licensed so that you can only take it if it’s considered medically safe for you to do so. We have car licenses, so why not cannabis licences?” he said. More on Dr. Pertwee can be found here in this British Science Association article and UK Guardian Article
As these herbal mixtures are explored they appear to be a complex mixture of synthetic and natural compounds. A team in Japan found 7 sources of these herbal designer drugs contained Oleamide. A generic ban on spice products could lead to banning an endogenous cannabinoid that humans and animals make. It appears to be important for regulating sleep and is being developed as a therapeutic agent. Synthetic variations of Oleamide appear to have anti-cancer activity. If such generic bans continue, will oleamide become the “illegal neurotransmitter?”
In the journal of Addiction Richard Hammersley discusses the dangers of banning spice and related compounds. Hammersley discusses the origin of the politics around synthetic cannabinoids. As Hammersley says a” generic ban may not make criminological sense, and there is a risk that it will make this herbal market more dangerous.”
In online discussions and retailer’s websites, the effects of these herbal preparations are said to mimic Cannabis (cannabimimetic). If a ban were to take effect, Hammersley points out, it would turn the users to an illegal market, which would inevitably harm otherwise law abiding citizens, who have chosen not to be involved with an illegal market. These herbal products also pose a difficult problem for law enforcement to identify as these compounds do not have a characteristic appearance or smell. Furthermore, Hammersley also asks, “what other legal products have ever been banned without industry consultation?” This is a unique opportunity to handle ‘herbal highs’ in a responsible manner; rather than give control of their strength, purity, and safety to criminal elements.
Hammerlsey goes on to argue that there is a clear demand for legal ‘highs’ and this may continue to be supplied by other cannabinoids or substances that are not yet banned. The manufactures may have tried to produce a relatively safe product with the desired effect. Perhaps their own market research or self-experimentation has excluded chemicals that have obvious bad effects. Interestingly, some samples contain high levels Vitamin E; perhaps it’s added for its antioxidant properties?
Following a ban, these drugs may be replaced with others, leading to the use of truly dangerous ‘highs.’ Without further research there is a serious risk of banning a relatively less dangerous class of chemicals, which will be replaced by more dangerous ones.
In the Lancet, two letters were published regarding the reclassification of synthetic cannabinoids ( 1 & 2). The authors disagree that synthetic cannabinoids “do not have a recognized medical value.” For instance, Nabilone ( a synthetic derivative of THC) is available by prescription in the United States. Originally, these synthetic cannabinoids were developed as therapeutic derivatives of the Cannabis plant. The medical use of Cannabis and its derivatives has been described in the scientific literature, as well as in the U.S. governments I.O.M. report, and “British Medical Association book Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis.”
They also are concerned that a ban would severely inhibit our ability to respond effectively to potential adverse health effects. Our hospitals have virtually no information that can be used to base advice, provide information, and interventions.
We need more information from laboratory work and cross sectional studies, as there is virtually no medical information on prevalence of use and adverse effects. Presently, the media relies on self-experimentation reports and websites of Internet retailers. The necessary information is unlikely to be forthcoming following a change in the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
