Synthetic Cannabinoids are a sub-category of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Novel psychoactive substances refer to emerging substances that have been structurally modified from existing regulated substances.Synthetic cannabinoids are structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), agonists of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Synthetic cannabinoids are sold under a wide range of names such as K2, Spice, Legal Highs. They can be easily found online and in convenience stores as dried plant material or liquids for e-cigarettes. The EMCDDA identified 190 new synthetic cannabinoids that were reported in 2019 as part of the early warning system. These compounds have been synthetized specifically to circumvent existing laws regarding drug control and scheduling guidelines. These substances pose a significant public health concern due to their unknown potency and wide array of side effects. According to the EMCDDA, symptoms including agitation, nausea, psychosis, stroke, mass poisoning, and even death.
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