Cannabis adulterated with the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-4en-PINACA and the role of European drug checking services.


Oomen, Pieter E ORCID: 0000-0001-8395-7331, Schori, Dominique, Tögel-Lins, Karsten, Acreman, Dean, Chenorhokian, Sevag, Luf, Anton, Karden, Alexandra, Paulos, Carlos, Fornero, Elisa, Gerace, Enrico et al (show 5 more authors) (2022) Cannabis adulterated with the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-4en-PINACA and the role of European drug checking services. The International journal on drug policy, 100. 103493-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>European drug checking services exchange information on drug trends within the Trans European Drug Information (TEDI) network, allowing monitoring and coordination of responses. Starting in Spring 2020, several services detected the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-4en-PINACA in adulterated low-THC cannabis products.<h4>Methods</h4>Cannabis products suspected of adulteration were analyzed for the presence of MDMB-4en-PINACA by 9 services in 8 countries within the TEDI network. If available, phytocannabinoid analysis was also performed.<h4>Results</h4>1142 samples sold as cannabis in herbal, resin and e-liquid form were analyzed, of which 270 were found to contain MDMB-4en-PINACA. All cannabis samples contained low THC (<1%), except the e-liquids which contained no phytocannabinoids. Three serious health incidents requiring hospitalization after use of an adulterated cannabis sample were reported.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Adulteration of cannabis with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists is a new phenomenon that carries risk for people who use it. Given that cannabis consumers are not a usual target group for drug checking services, services and associated harm reduction interventions could be reconfigured to include them.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Analgesics, Hallucinogens, Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists, Dronabinol
Divisions: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Law and Social Justice
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 09 Feb 2022 09:28
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 21:13
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103493
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3148518
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