Potent Synthetic Cannabinoid Found in All Seven Disposable Vapes Sold as Cannabis
Seven disposable vapes sold as cannabis products in the UK all contained the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA instead, with no actual cannabis compounds detected.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
All seven samples contained 5F-MDMB-PICA at a median concentration of 0.85 mg/mL (range 0.59-1.63 mg/mL). No THC, CBD, or other natural cannabinoids were found.
Key Numbers
Median 5F-MDMB-PICA concentration: 0.85 mg/mL. Range: 0.59 to 1.63 mg/mL. 7/7 positive for synthetic cannabinoids. 0/7 contained natural cannabinoids.
How They Did This
Seven illicitly sourced disposable vapes submitted by one individual to a UK drug and alcohol service were analyzed using NMR and GC/MS.
Why This Research Matters
People buying what they believe to be cannabis vapes may unknowingly be using potent synthetic cannabinoids.
The Bigger Picture
This case adds to mounting evidence that illicit vaping products marketed as cannabis frequently contain synthetic cannabinoids instead.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only seven samples from a single individual at one service.
Questions This Raises
- ?What percentage of illicit "cannabis" vapes in the UK actually contain synthetic cannabinoids?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 7/7 "cannabis" vapes contained only synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA
- Evidence Grade:
- Case report analyzing seven samples from one individual.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study analyzing recently purchased products
- Original Title:
- Detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in seven illicitly sourced disposable vapes submitted by an individual presenting to a UK drug and alcohol service.
- Published In:
- Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(3), 549-554 (2025)
- Authors:
- Craft, Sam(5), Sunderland, Peter(2), Millea, Molly F, Pudney, Christopher R, Sutcliffe, Oliver B, Freeman, Tom P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06271
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is 5F-MDMB-PICA?
It is a potent synthetic cannabinoid that acts as a full agonist at CB1 receptors. It is far more powerful than THC and has been linked to severe adverse effects.
How can someone tell if a vape contains synthetic cannabinoids?
Based on this study, you cannot tell from the packaging alone. Drug checking services that use chemical analysis are the only reliable way.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06271APA
Craft, Sam; Sunderland, Peter; Millea, Molly F; Pudney, Christopher R; Sutcliffe, Oliver B; Freeman, Tom P. (2025). Detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in seven illicitly sourced disposable vapes submitted by an individual presenting to a UK drug and alcohol service.. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(3), 549-554. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16671
MLA
Craft, Sam, et al. "Detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in seven illicitly sourced disposable vapes submitted by an individual presenting to a UK drug and alcohol service.." Addiction (Abingdon, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16671
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in se..." RTHC-06271. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/craft-2025-detection-and-quantification-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.