Keeping Up with Synthetic Tides
From Synthetic Marijuana and Bath Salts to 2C-E
1. The New LEGAL High… Not your “Ordinary” Marijuana!
Quick Info on Synthetic Marijuana
Common Names:
K2 Spice Demon Mr. Nice Guy Puff Triple X
Sold As:
Herbal Incense Potpourri Herbal Smoking Blends
Traditionally found in small packets with very little information other than the brand name, flavor or variety, the “warning label”, and sometimes a description on contents.
Legal Issues:
Synthetic Marijuana’s effects are achieved by treating herbs to be smoked with lab created chemicals that mimic Cannabinoids found naturally in Marijuana. Because these synthetic substances are lab created (designer drugs) and are different from the naturally occurring Cannabinoids, they are legal.
Lab analysis has found the description on the package (if any) does not match the herbal contents. These products are labeled as “Not for Human Consumption” and hence are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Use:
Routes of administration are generally limited to inhalation (smoking). Only a few puffs can result in a high but the high generally lasts 10 minutes to a half an hour. On the other hand, side effects can last hours to days.
Although Synthetic Marijuana does not produce positive results in drug tests for Cannabis, urine tests can detect byproducts of Synthetic Marijuana use.
Symptoms:
Those who are under the influence of Synthetic Marijuana can have symptoms that range dramatically in severity and duration:
| • Hallucinations • Seizures • Panic Attacks |
• Increased Heart Rate • Heart Palpitations • Increased Agitation |
• Increased Blood Pressure • Respiratory Issues • Dilated Pupils |
• Black outs • Delusions • Vomiting |
Over 500 cases of adverse reactions to Synthetic Marijuana were reported in 2010 compared to only 6 cases in 2009.
Access:
Can be found in convenience stores, gas stations, “head-shops” and online and is relatively cheap but more expensive then real Marijuana. ($25 for 1 gram – usually sold in 3 gram bags) So why pay more for something that is not the real thing and can give you nasty side effects? It’s all about being legal and no age restriction.
Current Actions:
On November 24, 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced that it would make certain chemicals often found in Synthetic Marijuana illegal. For now the DEA has it under an emergency ban preventing sales in shops and stores. In Minnesota the House approved a bill that would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell synthetic marijuana and a misdemeanor to possess the substance. The bill now goes to the Senate.
2. Think Bath Salts Are Just For Relaxation…Think Again!
Quick Info On “Bath Salts”
Common Names:
| Ivory Wave | Red Dove | Ivory Snow | Vanilla Sky |
| White Lightening | Bliss | Hurricane Charlie | Charge |
| White Rush | Cloud 9 | Blue Silk | Serenity Now |
Commonly Sold As:
Bath Salts
Fertilizer
Insecticide
Legal Issues:
They are designer drugs (lab created) that mimic a chemical found in Khat. These natural chemicals have been deemed as Schedule I drugs but the adulterated version of the chemical found in bath salts is not. Therefore, these so called bath salts are legal.
Additionally, these bath salts are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration because they are sold with the warning that they are “Not for Human Consumption”.
Use:
Routes of administration are typical of illegal substances:
Inhalation (Snorted or smoked)
Injection (IV)
Symptoms:
Those who are under the influence of these substances tend to have symptoms that mimic the symptoms of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Ecstasy.
| Anxious | Combative | Paranoid | Suicidal | Hallucinations |
| Violent | Abnormal strength/Pain tolerance | |||
Already in 2011, more calls have been made to poison control centers across the country regarding “bath salts” than in all of 2010.
Access:
Can be found in convenience stores, gas stations, “head-shops” and online and is relatively cheap. ($30 for 200 mg)
Current Actions:
Various states and counties are attempting to make laws that are not exclusive to one particular substance but more of an “all-encompassing” type to get around the problem of simply altering the formula slightly to make the product “legal”.
3. Europa or 2C-E
What is 2C-E?
2C-E is a synthetic chemical compound which has been lab created and is part of the 2C family of “designer drugs”. Various members of the 2C family are controlled substances through the Drug Enforcement Administration, while others are not.
Common Names:
May be referred to as Europa.
Sold As:
“Research Chemical” – See Access for more information.
Use: Generally, 2C-E is in the form of a white crystalline powder and is taken orally or snorted. For an average oral dose of 15-20 milligrams (5 mg for inhaling), onset of effects can take anywhere from twenty to ninety minutes. These effects can last for six to ten hours with a peak lasting for three to six hours. Individuals may have residual effects for up to a day after ingestion. Overdose is of great concern due to the long delay in onset of symptoms. Individuals may not believe it is having an effect or that they have taken enough; or decide to add a different substance (i.e. alcohol) in the meantime. 2C-E can also have dramatic interactions with prescription drugs, particularly anti-depressants.
Symptoms:
This drug is a stimulant for the central nervous system and has hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD or Ecstasy. Traditional symptoms for stimulant use (such as LSD) are: dilate pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Please Note* This is not an all encompassing list, particularly when substances like 2C-E are taken in combination with other substances, alcohol, or medications.
Legal Issues:
Unfortunately, substances that are lab created, and considered “designer drugs”, can be particularly tricky for the government to regulate. A related substance called 2C-B is a Schedule I substance and only differs 2C-E by one element. Drugs similar in chemical structure to 2C-B can be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act (an analogue is a substance similar to another substance, but usually differs by a single element or variation).
Access:
Generally, 2C-E is accessible through the internet on “chemistry supply” sites. These sites may have a page before purchasing that requires individuals to agree that they will not use the product for human consumption (i.e. ingestion). This is by no means a safe guard but it may remove liability from the merchant because, what they are selling is a legal product if used as intended – as chemistry supplies.
Current Actions:
Senator Amy Klobuchar said C2-E should be illegal and will work to include it as part of the bipartisan bill she cosponsored, the “Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011”. This legislation would permanently ban five chemicals found in K2 that the DEA has temporarily banned. It would treat K2 and other synthetic drugs, like other banned narcotics such as methamphetamines and cocaine.
For More Information
Contact Kanabec County Health Educators on Substance use Prevention:
- Lori Swanson 679-6316