Spice is a term used to define herbal products that are marketed as a safe alternative to cannabis or other drugs. Often know as synthetic marijuana or cannabis, spice products are sold under a wide variety of monikers including KW, Yucatan Fire, Moon rocks, or plain old “fake weed”. Although spice products claim to be all-natural, they all have chemical additives which many feel could be a cause for concern.
Is Spice Legal?
It was made illegal in the UK in December of 2009 when it was determined to be a Class B drug. Since 2018, the government has been put under increasing pressure from MP’s and Police to reclassify Spice as a Class A drug.
How Is Spice Distributed?
Spice has been sold under many different names, by several different companies, and manufacturers labels try to disguise the fact that their product is synthetic cannabis which makes it difficult to gather solid information about its side effects. However, the one thing that has been confirmed is that although these type of drug products claim to be a “natural” formula they are made from synthetic ingredients.
Spice used to be easily accessible in retailers and online, but now the five active ingredients in spice products have been determined as controlled substance by the making the drug illegal to purchase, sell, or own.
Many Spice manufacturers have tried to get around this new classification by adjusting the ingredients of their spice product. Legislators continue to update the list of the latest spice copycats and add each of them to the banned list of illegal substances.
How Is The Drug Consumed?
Similar to cannabis, spice is smoked. Some people mix their cannabis with spice and some people turn it into an herbal tea of sorts.
Who Is At The Highest Risk Of Abusing Spice?
Spice is one of the common drugs high school age students experiment with, coming in second in usage popularity to cannabis. Spice is relatively easy to access and is advertised as “natural” so many teens opt to use spice because they think it is a harmless drug. Another reason spice is so popular is that it does not register on many standard drug tests, however tests are starting to appear on the market that can detect spice. Zoom Testing now offers a two drug test that detects spice and cannabis.
What Does Spice Do?
Spice’s effects are very similar to that of cannabis, however some users say spice gives a more extreme high causing anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
There have been no clinical studies as to how spice affects its users so there is no official determination as how its psychoactive properties affect the brain. What has been confirmed is that Spice’s active compounds are known to bind to the same cell receptors as THC (cannabis), but often in a stronger way, which could result in a much more powerful and unpredictable effect. The addition of extra substances to spice might also result in dramatically different effects than the user might expect from smoking normal cannabis.
Side Effects Of Synthetic Cannabis
While there are no official clinical findings, spice users have reported hallucinations, agitation, vomiting, increase heart rate, disorientation, and spice may be linked to cardiovascular concerns and heart attacks. Some spice users that have consumed spice for long periods of time have reported withdrawal symptoms similar to those of other addictive substances.
Other concerns are that spice’s chemical compounds may contain heavy metals which can be toxic and lead other health concerns. Until clinical studies have been performed there is not a solid way to determine all of the concerns associated with the use of spice.
The UK’s Synthetic Cannabis Epidemic
Use of spice in the UK is a growing and concerning problem. In prisons use of the drug has spiralled out of control. The drug has no smell and is cheaper than cannabis. Also, many urine drug tests used in prisons do not detect the drug. All these factors make it the perfect drug for many of the UK’s prison population. The drug also helps bored prisoners pass the time as it makes time go quicker, hours can pass in what feels like just minutes.
Homeless people have also been victim to the drug. In Manchester, for example, researchers have found that 90-95% of the homeless population are on the drug.
Why Spice?
Spice is cheap and strong, which makes it a very attractive drug for many. Much of the drug is imported from China in liquid form. It is then sprayed onto plant leaves, before being sold on.
Spice’s main attractions are that it is cheap and strong. It is thought to be imported from China in liquid form, then sprayed on an inert plant such as marshmallow before being sold to be smoked. Only the tiniest amount of the chemical is needed to have an effect.
Is There A Drug Test Kit For Spice?
As with all New Psychoactive Substances (NSP), the drug testing industry has found it a challenge to keep up with new drugs and to provide drug test kits that can detect new drugs and their thousands of variations. For a long time it was not possible to get a drug test kit for Spice, but the technology has moved on. We have found out more about the chemistry of the drug and new drug test kits that detect spice are appearing on the market.
Urine Drug Test Kits For Spice
These tests are available from Zoom Testing as a single drug test kit for Spice or a multi-panel drug test kit that detects Spice as well as 9 other drugs. At present we do not know of the existence of any saliva drug test kits for Spice.
We also offer presumptive drug tests for Spice. These tests are ideal if you have a suspicious substance and you want to identify if it is or isn’t Spice. A lot of prisons use these types of drug identification tests to identify Spice.
The Growing Challenge Of Spice Detection
As the use of Spice continues to spread across the UK, the need for effective drug testing methods has become increasingly urgent. The synthetic nature of Spice, combined with its constantly evolving chemical composition, poses unique challenges for detection and enforcement.
Evolving Consumption Methods
While Spice has traditionally been smoked, new consumption methods are emerging that complicate detection efforts. Recent reports have highlighted the alarming trend of vape liquids being laced with Spice, particularly targeting younger users. This method of consumption can make it harder to visually identify Spice use, underscoring the importance of reliable drug testing methods.
Geographic Hotspots
The spread of Spice is not uniform across the UK. Certain cities have emerged as hotspots for Spice use, including Manchester, Doncaster, and Newcastle. These areas have seen a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless and unemployed. Understanding these geographic trends is crucial for implementing targeted testing and intervention strategies.
Detection Window Challenges
One of the key issues in Spice drug testing is understanding how long the drug stays in a user’s system. Unlike more established drugs, the detection window for Spice can vary widely depending on the specific synthetic cannabinoids used. Some compounds may be detectable for only a few days, while others can persist for weeks. This variability makes it essential to use advanced testing methods that can identify a wide range of synthetic cannabinoids.
Advancements In Testing Technology
In response to these challenges, drug testing companies have been developing more sophisticated methods for detecting Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids. Modern test kits are designed to identify a broader spectrum of compounds, improving the chances of detecting Spice use even as its chemical composition changes. However, staying ahead of new formulations remains an ongoing challenge for the drug testing industry.
The Importance Of Comprehensive Testing
Given the complex nature of Spice and its effects, a multi-faceted approach to drug testing is often necessary. This may include combining urine tests, which can detect recent use, with hair follicle tests that can provide a longer-term history of drug use. Additionally, some facilities are exploring the use of behavioural assessments alongside chemical tests to identify potential Spice use, especially in cases where newer compounds may not be detectable by current test kits.
As Spice continues to pose a significant public health challenge, ongoing research and development in drug testing methods will be crucial. By improving our ability to detect and monitor Spice use, we can better address the impact of this dangerous drug on individuals and communities across the UK.
Photo by Creative Commons
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated since.
