Most Synthetic Cannabinoid Users Aren't Trying to Avoid Drug Tests
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 6.9% of synthetic cannabinoid users were trying to avoid drug testing
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional clinical sample with qualitative data, limited to patients receiving medical toxicology consultation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Use from Patient Clinical Evaluations during Medical Toxicology Consultation.
- Published In:
- Journal of psychoactive drugs, 53(3), 207-214 (2021)
- Authors:
- Tebo, Collin, Mazer-Amirshahi, Maryann(2), Wax, Paul(2), Campleman, Sharan, Boyer, Edward, Brent, Jeffrey, Sheth, Amit, Daniuaityte, Raminta, Carlson, Robert
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03570
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03570APA
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
MLA
Tebo, Collin, et al. "Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Use from Patient Clinical Evaluations during Medical Toxicology Consultation.." Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2020.1851826
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agon..." RTHC-03570. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/tebo-2021-characterizing-trends-in-synthetic
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.