Most Synthetic Cannabinoid Users Aren't Trying to Avoid Drug Tests | Research

The takeaway

Among 124 patients evaluated for new psychoactive substance use, 69% involved synthetic cannabinoids, and nearly half used them primarily to get high rather than to avoid drug screening.

Emergency physicians, addiction researchers, drug policy professionals

Only 6.9% of synthetic cannabinoid users were trying to avoid drug testing

What the researchers found

Of 124 NPS cases, 86 (69%) involved SCRAs. Most patients (68.8%) had used SCRAs before, 47.7% found them very easy to obtain, and 48.8% used primarily to get high. Only 6.9% used SCRAs to avoid drug testing, and 4.6% as a marijuana alternative, suggesting an independent culture around SCRA use.

Why it matters

The finding that SCRA use has developed its own culture separate from marijuana substitution challenges the assumption that users primarily choose synthetics to avoid detection, and has implications for prevention messaging.

The numbers in context

124 NPS cases; 86 (69%) involved SCRAs; 68.8% had used before; 47.7% found very easy to obtain; 44.2% paid for substances, 32.6% got free; 48.8% used to get high; 6.9% to avoid drug testing; 4.6% as marijuana alternative.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional analysis of 124 patients with suspected new psychoactive substance exposure who received medical toxicology consultation, with qualitative interviews capturing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

What this study cannot tell us

Medical toxicology consultations represent severe cases, not typical users; convenience sample; self-reported motivations may not capture all reasons; limited to patients seeking medical care.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional clinical sample with qualitative data, limited to patients receiving medical toxicology consultation.

When this study was published

Published in 2021.

The bigger picture

If synthetic cannabinoid use is driven more by a desire for the specific high rather than as a marijuana substitute, harm-reduction efforts need to address the unique appeal of these substances rather than simply improving access to cannabis.

Questions still open

What characteristics of the SCRA high are appealing to users beyond marijuana effects? Would cannabis legalization reduce SCRA use if most users aren't seeking a marijuana substitute?

Common questions

Why do people use synthetic cannabinoids?

Nearly half (48.8%) reported using primarily to get high, suggesting an independent appeal. Only 6.9% used to avoid drug testing and 4.6% as a marijuana alternative, challenging the common assumption about why people choose synthetics.

How accessible are synthetic cannabinoids?

Nearly half (47.7%) of users described them as very easy to obtain, and about a third (32.6%) acquired them for free, suggesting wide availability.

Read the original research

Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Use from Patient Clinical Evaluations during Medical Toxicology Consultation.

Journal of psychoactive drugs, 53(3), 207-214

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Tebo, Collin; Mazer-Amirshahi, Maryann; Wax, Paul; Campleman, Sharan; Boyer, Edward; Brent, Jeffrey; Sheth, Amit; Daniuaityte, Raminta; Carlson, Robert. (2021). Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Use from Patient Clinical Evaluations during Medical Toxicology Consultation.. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 53(3), 207-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2020.1851826