Karsten Tögel-LinsT: 069 / 48 00 46 [email protected] Liquids are sold as a “legal” and “undetectable” alternative to conventional cannabis. Liquids work under many names such as Ballerliquid, Django or Straãen CBD. • What exactly synthetic cannabinoids are, how they work, what is the difference with conventional cannabis, what is the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids and much more, you will learn in this episode with Karsten Tögel-Lins in an interview. A conclusive assessment of the risks and long-term consequences of consumption is not possible, as there are currently no systematic studies on this subject, especially as new synthetic substances are constantly coming onto the market. In addition, we have the possibility to have substances tested for their ingredients free of charge and anonymously. Consumers often report adverse effects such as tachycardia, circulatory problems, headaches, nausea, anxiety, stomach pain, muscle cramps and loss of consciousness. Individual case studies have also reported heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and psychosis. In recent years, new psychoactive substances have appeared on the market. Little is known about these substances and the legal situation is often unclear. Stores on the free Internet as well as in the Darknet offer countless substances with chemical names, which are confusing for the uninitiated. Analyses of substances show that they are often declared incorrectly and that the buyer receives completely different substances from those he ordered. Such misrepresentations can lead to life-threatening situations when consuming. But also in social networks and in the respective forums many false claims circulate, and sometimes there is great ignorance.
The Legal High Ingredients project aims to educate, inform and offer anonymous professional advice to consumers and relatives in an objective manner and without moral evaluation. Synthetic cannabinoids have become increasingly widespread in Germany in recent years. Although synthetic cannabinoids are not a new phenomenon, they were sold under the trade name Spice in the form of herbal blends at that time, but the new trend is much more hidden and therefore more dangerous. If you bought Spice back then, you knew what substance you were getting into. In the meantime, however, synthetic cannabinoids are used as extenders for CBD herb or e-cigarette liquids. Legal highs with stimulant effects are generally sold as “bath salts”, “room air fresheners” or “cleaners”. These products often contain synthetic cathinones. These are artificially produced substances that are bound to the active ingredient cathine, which occurs naturally in the khat plant. A well-known synthetic cathinone is mephedrone. If you think your weed is stretched or your liquid is broken down with synthetic cannabinoids, you can send it to Legal High ingredients for testing.
If CBD weed or conventional “bad” marijuana is stretched with synthetic cannabinoids, it can be sold as a powerful mist. In addition, so-called “research chemicals” are marketed on the Internet. According to traders, these products contain synthetic substances in their pure form. However, it is not possible to judge whether substances are really “pure” or which substances are actually contained. In the scientific literature, there are also reports of deaths attributed to taking legal highs. A 25-year-old man was found dead in his apartment, where the autopsy revealed no tangible cause of death. Toxicological analysis revealed a high concentration of JWH-122 and JWH-210, two synthetic cannabinoids. The man is believed to have died from respiratory arrest caused by excessive abuse of synthetic cannabinoids. In other cases, fatal accidents occurred after taking legal highs, preceded by a panic attack.
It is possible that the potential danger to consumers is underestimated, as the term legal high gives the impression that products are harmless. In addition, the active ingredients contained are usually not or only incompletely indicated on the packaging. Thus, neither the quantity nor the composition of the active ingredients used can be declared. Frequently, the active ingredients of “legal highs” consist of newly discovered psychoactive substances, the consumption of which cannot be made on the short- or long-term consequences. In most cases, there are no scientific studies or medical examinations on the chemicals used. Legal highs are available in powders, tablets, herbs or capsules. Mixtures of herbs or frankincense usually contain dried plant parts. The best-known representative is “Spice”, which caused a sensation in 2008. The coloured bags contained over-the-counter dried herbs that would have produced effects similar to those of cannabis at the time. In laboratory analyses, however, it was found that the herbs were simply carriers mixed with new synthetic cannabinoids.
Subsequently, the new synthetic active ingredients were included in the Narcotic Control Act.