Synthetic Cannabinoid Usage among College Students: The Example of K2 and Spice Page: 2
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Trends in Designer Drug Use
The past several decades have witnessed a significant increase in the number of designer
drugs introduced to the general public. For example, mephedrone, a pharmacologically active
alkaloid structurally similar to methcathinone and amphetamines, has witnessed a surge in usage
in recent years. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
(EMCDDA) (2010), mephedrone usage has become so widespread that, as of writing, it is the
most commonly consumed drug behind cannabis, ecstasy, and cocaine.
Products containing mephedrone are sold and distributed under a variety of names
including Miaow, 4-MMC, TopCat, and Meow Meow. These products are generally marketed
under a variety of innocuous monikers including "plant food," "bath salts," and "research
chemicals," and are accompanied by disclaimers stating that such substances are "not for human
consumption" (Vardakou et al., 2011).
Historically the substance 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methanphetamine (MDMA; commonly
known as ecstasy) was considered a designer drug. MDMA was originally synthesized and
patented by Merck in 1914, and was developed as a potential appetite suppressant
(Christophersen, 2000). During the 1970s, MDMA was frequently abused throughout the U.S.,
and marketed under a variety of street names including Adam, M&M, and a plethora of other
labels.
While designer drugs encompass a vast array of products including the aforementioned
mephedrone, and several others, herbal products containing synthetic cannabinoids, namely
Spice and K2, have recently become the subject of intense media scrutiny. Synthetic
cannabinoids are compounds that are chemically similar to A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and
possess similar psychoactive properties. In 2008, the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 was
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Stephens, Jason L. Synthetic Cannabinoid Usage among College Students: The Example of K2 and Spice, thesis, August 2011; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc84283/m1/9/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .