A driver was impaired by a potent synthetic cannabinoid (5F-ADB) detected in blood at low concentration | Research

The takeaway

A case report documented a 45-year-old male driver impaired by the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-ADB, with the metabolite detected in blood at 26.37 ng/mL and no other drugs present, representing one of the first cases conclusively linking synthetic cannabinoids to driving impairment.

Forensic toxicologists; traffic safety researchers; law enforcement developing drug-impaired driving protocols.

5F-ADB metabolite at 26.37 ng/mL with no other drugs, conclusively linked to driving impairment

What the researchers found

Law enforcement witnessed erratic driving by a 45-year-old male in fall 2017. Roadside evaluation concluded the driver was intoxicated.

Comprehensive toxicology analysis found no alcohol, THC, or other drugs in the driver's blood.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of cigarettes found in the vehicle detected the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-ADB (also known as 5F-MDMB-PINACA).

Forensic LC-MS/MS testing detected the 5F-ADB metabolite 7 in the driver's blood at 26.37 ng/mL, with no other drugs present.

This represented one of the first cases conclusively demonstrating that synthetic cannabinoids ("K2" or "Spice") can significantly impair driving at relatively low concentrations.

Why it matters

Standard drug testing often misses synthetic cannabinoids because they are structurally different from THC. This case demonstrates that impaired drivers can test "clean" on routine screens while being significantly impaired by potent synthetic compounds, highlighting the need for expanded testing panels.

The numbers in context

5F-ADB metabolite 7 detected at 26.37 ng/mL in blood. No other drugs detected. Driver was 45 years old.

How the study worked

Case report with comprehensive toxicology. Cigarette analysis by GC-MS. Blood analysis by validated forensic LC-MS/MS. 5F-ADB metabolite 7 quantified at 26.37 ng/mL.

What this study cannot tell us

Single case report. No established impairment threshold for 5F-ADB. No cognitive or psychomotor testing was performed to quantify the degree of impairment. The metabolite concentration may not correlate linearly with impairment.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary. Single case report with thorough toxicological analysis, but no established impairment thresholds for this compound.

When this study was published

Published in 2018. 5F-ADB has since been associated with numerous deaths and adverse events. Synthetic cannabinoid detection in forensic settings has improved.

The bigger picture

Synthetic cannabinoids are much more potent than natural cannabis, and new compounds are constantly being developed. Traffic safety testing has not kept pace with these developments, meaning many impaired drivers may be escaping detection.

Questions still open

What blood concentration of 5F-ADB or its metabolites constitutes impairment? How many DUI cases involve undetected synthetic cannabinoids? Should standard roadside drug panels be expanded to include synthetic cannabinoids?

Common questions

What is 5F-ADB?

5F-ADB (also called 5F-MDMB-PINACA) is a potent synthetic cannabinoid that acts as a full agonist at cannabinoid receptors. It is much more potent than THC and has been associated with severe adverse effects including deaths. It is commonly found in products sold as "K2" or "Spice."

Why was not the synthetic cannabinoid detected by standard drug testing?

Standard drug tests are designed to detect THC and its metabolites. Synthetic cannabinoids have different chemical structures that do not trigger positive results on conventional immunoassay screens. Specialized testing (like LC-MS/MS) is needed to identify specific synthetic compounds.

Read the original research

Impaired Driving Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5f-Adb.

Journal of forensic science & criminology, 6(1)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

McCain, K R; Jones, J O; Chilbert, K T; Patton, A L; James, L P; Moran, J H. (2018). Impaired Driving Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5f-Adb.. Journal of forensic science & criminology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.15744/2348-9804.6.105