USA: States with legal cannabis had fewer cases of poisoning with synthetic cannabinoids. Study recorded 61 deaths

The legality of cannabis has dropped synthetic cannabinoid poisonings, according to a study led by Tracy Klein of Washington State University. Through analysis of illicit synthetic cannabinoid poisoning reports, it was found that the number of occurrences in states that allow recreational or “adult use” cannabis is lower when compared to states with restrictive policies. In the study, which included 7.600 events, there were 61 deaths associated with synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids have appeared on illicit markets for their mimicry of the effects of cannabis and can be sold as K2, Spice or AK-47, among others. However, they are synthetic molecules that do not occur naturally in the plant and that can have serious and even fatal effects. The study, published by the University of Washington in Journal of Clinical Toxicology, analyzed how state drug policies influence events with synthetic cannabinoids that required hospitalization and medical care. In states where cannabis policies are more progressive, there is less adherence to this type of substance.

For this study, published , researchers analyzed data from the National Poison Data System from 2016 to 2019, before the start of the pandemic. Only states that had relatively stable policies during those years were analyzed and categorized, placing them in one of three categories: permissive such as the state of Washington (which allows medical and recreational use), doctor like Hawaii (which only allows medical use) and  restrictive, like Idaho (which bans virtually all cannabis use).

Study recorded 61 deaths associated with synthetic cannabinoids

The sample included 7.600 poisoning events related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, about 65% of which required medical attention. There were 61 deaths. The researchers found that events related to synthetic cannabinoid poisoning generally decreased during the study period. However, there were 13% fewer occurrences in medical states and a much more significant drop of 37% in permissive states such as personal cannabis use.

The lead author of the study, Tracy Klein, described to the Medical express, that the article illustrates “some potential public health benefits of legalizing and regulating adult cannabis use”. The WSU associate professor of nursing added that in regulated markets, "it is clear that if users have the option of purchasing a less toxic product, they are likely to choose it."

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

Synthetic cannabinoids are substances artificially produced in the laboratory to mimic the effects of cannabinoids. This effect is acquired through the modulation of the same receptors that are modulated by the cannabinoids that occur naturally in the plant. However, in illicit synthetics that bind to our endocannabinoid system receptors, the effects can be 100 times more potent than other cannabinoids, such as THC, and lack any of the plant's mediating constituents in their natural, integral state, like other cannabinoids like CBD, THCV, CBG, CBN, etc. As a result, synthetic cannabinoids have a high toxicity and can lead to serious harm and even death.

While some synthetic cannabinoids have been created for medical use, such as Dronabinol or Nabilone, primarily used to treat nausea associated with cancer treatment, the illicit versions are not authorized in all states and have no medical purpose. Enforcement of legal regulations can be difficult because manufacturers change their formulas frequently.