Synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids

3 reasons to avoid synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids here.

3
minute read

A brief history of legal smoking highs

Legal smoking herbs have graduated from harmless to effective delivery mechanisms for JWH compounds (the most popular cannabinoid used in herbal incense blends).  From  dear old granny’s herbal air freshener have evolved varieties that may be 10 times as potent as THC.

I remember when I first purchased a legal high through mail order; it was in the early 90s and my first foray into a world beyond alcohol and cigarettes. When the package arrived I could hardly contain myself as I tore it open and opened the yellow pouch that contained the medicine that was going to save me from my demons. The mixture inside very closely resembled my granny’s potpourri and didn’t smell much different either. After smoking a badly rolled joint, how high did I get on this first generation of legal bud?

No high at all.

How times have changed. Now there are a plethora of  legal smoking mixtures with exotic, if not downright stupid, names such as Mr. Miyagi, Mr. Miyagi Warpaint, Mr. Miyagi Warpaint Zero, Phoenix 2.0, Kannabliss, Kannabliss Max, Rush XXX, Rush XL, Hayze, K4 Diamond, Diesel, Zombie, Zombie Killa, Spaz and so on. The difference between these mixtures and the one I bought in the 1990s is that the herbs in the former have been soaked or sprayed with a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of Marijuana but come with JWH health risks.

Synthetic cannabinoids have arrived and, despite the best efforts of governments around the world, they seem to be here to stay.

3 Reasons To Avoid Synthetic Marijuana and Synthetic Cannabinoids

1. The effects of synthetic marijuana have not been tested.

Many are of the mistaken opinion that because synthetic cannabinoids are legal and herbal in nature (or at least this is how they are perceived) then they must be safer than marijuana which is illegal to possess and supply (in most countries). This is not so. Unlike Cannabis which has been used and abused for thousands of years and thus its effects are well-documented and understood, its synthetic counterpart has not. The effects of synthetic marijuana have not been studied or researched. In fact, those using these smoking mixtures today are the guinea pigs for future generations. Do you want to take the risk.

2. Legal herbs trigger serious adverse reactions.

In the U.S. there have been countless reports of people having adverse reactions after smoking these mixtures. “Emergency room physicians report that individuals that use these types of products experience serious side effects which include: convulsions, anxiety attacks, dangerously elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, vomiting, and disorientation”, DEA Statement, March 01, 2011. Remember these are only short term complications; it is far too early to say how long term use of synthetic cannabinoids can impact on an individual’s physical and mental health.

3. Synthetics are as addictive as the real thing.

Synthetic cannabinoids are addictive, can cause withdrawal and are a gateway drug (that is they can lead to the abuse of harder drugs). They are a drug and have all the attributes of one. Addiction is as real a possibility with synthetic marijuana as it is with the real stuff, it is just a lot easier to buy and use due to its legal status.

Synthetic marijuana continues to evolve

What makes matters worse in the current situation with legal highs is that once one synthetic cannabinoid is banned, the laboratories create another and so the cycle continues. This is a problem that cannot be solved with current legislation and thus fresh thinking is called for. If you have any feedback, please leave your suggestions or comments below. We would love to hear from you.

About the author
Charles Somerville is the writer of The Alcoholism Guide, a website that looks at alcoholism in all its forms and the effects of alcohol abuse on mental and physical health.
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