Spice is a mixture of herbs that has been sold in head shops in Europe and Canada as an incense, as well as over the Internet as an herbal smoking blend. Spice exhibits Cannabis-like effects when smoked due to the unlabeled synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018. Users report the effects of Spice Gold are much less euphoric than Cannabis, with a longer duration of sedation and less anxiety.
On December 15th 2008, it was announced by German pharmaceutical company THCPharm, that JWH-018 was found as one of the active components in at least three versions of the supposedly "herbal" smoking blend, cannabis substitute drug Spice, which has been sold in a number of countries around the world since 1998, because of its legal status and its similarity in effects to marijuana.[1][2][3]
Legal status
Health Canada has stated an opinion that JWH-018 falls under item 1 of schedule 2 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, as a "similar synthetic preparation" to cannabis.[4]
The Austrian Ministry of Health announced on 18th December 2008 that Spice would be controlled under Paragraph 78 of their drug law on the grounds that it contains an active substance which affects the functions of the body, and the legality of JWH-018 is under review.[5][6][7]
In almost all countries JWH-018 is legal. Exceptions may exist in specific countries, as shown above, especially where broad provisions are written in law.
See also
External links
- Erowid
- Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice' (msn news)
References
- ^ Gefährlicher Kick mit Spice (German)
- ^ Erstmals Bestandteile der Modedroge „Spice“ nachgewiesen (German)
- ^ Spice enthält chemischen Wirkstoff (German)
- ^ Correspondence from Health Canada
- ^ Kräutermischung "Spice": Gesundheitsministerium stoppt Handel. (German) 18 December 2008
- ^ Austria bans herbal incense 'Spice'
- ^ [http://www.bmgfj.gv.at/cms/site/presse_detail.html?channel=CH0616&doc=CMS1229603682504 Gesundheitsministerium setzt Maßnahme zum Verbot von "Spice" (German)]