Warning: a synthetic cannabinoid 85 times more potent than THC

On July 12, 2016 in Brooklyn New York, 33 people hit the pavement after overdosing on a synthetic cannabinoid. These repeated overdoses are alarming public authorities, who are struggling to curb consumption of these semi-legal products.

A study published by «New England Journal of medicine» based on 8 synthetic cannabis overdoses, is concerned about the potency of these new products.

AMB-FUBINACA 85 times more potent than THC

The New England Journal of medicine based its study on the analysis of urine and blood extracts from 8 people hospitalized for overdose. Following this research, the scientists isolated the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA, developed by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The final product contains between 14.2 and 25.2 mg of AMB-FUBINACA per gram.

This semi-legal drug, sold under the name AK-47 24 Karat Gold, caused havoc this summer. This synthetic product has a completely different structure to THC. It is said to be 85 times more potent than natural THC and, above all, very affordable. AMB-FUNINACA is available for around 3 $ per gram. Chemists mix it with plant compounds and sell it for around 35$ per 4 grams.

Witnesses report that people under the influence of these products resembled zombies. According to the researchers, the mental effects of the product cannot be fully measured in the short term. On the other hand, physical problems after hospitalization have been clearly identified. Patients recovering from overdoses had spasms and difficulty moving their arms and legs. One patient took 9 hours to recover from lethargy.

What's more, synthetic cannabinoids often change their chemical formula to comply with the law. The authors of this study call for closer collaboration between hospital services, toxicology departments and the DEA to prevent the arrival of new synthetic derivatives.