SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID

COMPOUDS AND
THE NAVY
 ENABLING OBJECTIVES
UPON COMPLETION OF THIS TOPIC
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Define synthetic cannabinoid compounds.

2. Be able to recognize street names used for this

substance and why it’s become so popular.
3. Understand the effects synthetic cannabinoid
products have on the human body.
4. Understand the Department of the Navy’s zero-
tolerance policy on synthetic cannabinoid
compounds.
 WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC
CANNABINOID COMPOUNDS?

 Man made chemical that mimics the effects

of THC, (the active chemical in marijuana).
 Found within ‘herbal’ smoking mixtures that
are available for sale at smoke shops,
liquor stores, some gas stations, and on the
internet.
 Produced by spraying on to a mix of inert
plant ingredients, usually free of tobacco or
cannabis.
COMON NAMES USED FOR SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID COMPOUDS

 Most common names are: SPICE and K2.

 Other names include: Genie, Blaze, Dream,
Ex-ses, Spark, Fusion, Dark Knight, San
Pedro Cactus, Amsterdamn Gold, and
Yukatan fire.
 WHY ARE SYNTHETIC
CANNABINOIDS SO POPULAR?
 Similar ‘high’ to marijuana when smoked

 Currently allows users to pass standard

drug testing (urinalysis)

 Currently legal in most states

 Low cost and easily accessible

 WHAT ARE THE
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS?
 Isolated cases have been documented from
various emergency rooms across the United
States reporting effects such as:
 Hallucinations
 Severe agitation
 Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
 Vomiting
 Tremors and seizures
 WHAT ARE THE
LONG-TERM EFFECTS?
 We simply don’t know. There have been no studies
conducted on what effects the synthetic
cannabinoids may have on the body and the brain.

 Smoking any substance may have negative affects

on the lungs, but we do not have any scientific
evidence concerning the specific use of Spice.

 Because of the lack of research, nothing is known

regarding its toxicity within the body.
 THE NAVY’S ZERO-TOLERANCE
SUBSTANCE POLICY
 Drug abuse defined by Navy guidelines include
‘products that contain synthetic cannabinoid
compounds such as Spice and K2’.

 If found using or possessing synthetic cannabinoid

compounds you will be processed for
administrative separation (IAW NAVADMIN
108/10).
 CURRENT UPDATES
 On Nov. 24, 2010 the DEA announced that it
would use its emergency powers to ban synthetic
marijuana for one year because it has not been
carefully studied.
 The nationwide ban will begin on Dec. 24, 2010
for at least 12 months while studies are
conducted.
 SUMMARY AND REVIEW
 What are synthetic cannabinoid compounds?

 Can you identify some synthetic marijuana street

names?
 What are some of the potential hazards of use?
 What is the Navy’s policy if found using or
processing synthetic cannabinoid compounds?
 What is the main reason behind the upcoming
DEA nationwide ban of synthetic cannabinoid
compounds?