2 Types of Spice Drug Tests - Synthetic Cannabis Tests:

Spice Drug FAQ

Spice Drug FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Drug Spice and Spice Drug Testing

Q.) What are synthetic cannabinoids?

A.) Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the effect of THC, the principle active ingredient of cannabis. Like THC, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and were initially developed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of pain. However, these psychoactive research chemicals are frequently being sprayed on herbal mixtures and sold as "fake weed" or "synthetic marijuana." JWH-018 and JWH-073 are the two most common synthetic cannabinoid chemicals found in a variety of herbal smoking blends. Others like JWH-250, JWH-081 and CP47, 497 have also started appearing in some products and preparations.

Q.) How are synthetic cannabinoids being used?

A.) Legal in most states, JWH-018 and JWH-073 are the two most popular synthetic cannabinoids used today. Reportedly offering a high 4 times stronger than marijuana, JWH-018 and JWH-073 are commonly associated with herbal smoke and incense products sold under names like K2, Spice, Serenity and others.

Synthetic cannabinoid chemicals are often laced in the herbal smoking products that are readily available via the Internet and in many head-shops around the country. Users looking for a "legal high" often turn to these herbal smoking or incense products because they do not show up on a standard urine drug test.

Users smoke the product by wrapping joints, smoking it in pipes, or inhaling fumes via vaporizers. Users also report that herbal blends or pure chemical concoctions can be ingested with an infusion or solvent process; purportedly allowing them to manage the potency and dose of the active ingredient(s).

Q.) What are the effects of using synthetic cannabinoids like JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250 and others?

A.) JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250 and other similar chemicals are the primary synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists responsible for the euphoric and psychoactive effects that imitate marijuana and are among the numerous compounds found in herbal incense and smoke blends. These synthetic cannabinoids do not contain cannabis but produce effects reported up to 4 times the strength of THC/marijuana. Users indicate the high comes on slow at first, then with surprising potency. There have been many reports about the adverse effects including agitation, rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness and nausea. In fact, the American Association of Poison Control Centers issued a warning about the dangers of synthetic marijuana products in March 2010. Long-term effects from these research chemicals are unknown.

Q.) What herbal incense brand names are being used?

A.) Users looking for a "legal high" often turn to popular herbal smoking products marketed under brand names such as K2, K3, Spice, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Buzz, Pulse, Hush, Mystery, Earthquake, Ocean Blue, Stinger, Serenity and many others. OUR LAB maintains a composition and concentration list for different products, brands and preparations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the products, but maintains they are not approved for human consumption. Without proper ingredient labeling or measured potency, users increase the risk of overdosing. To complicate labeling and dose concerns, some reports indicate many popular brands are now counterfeitt

or fake brands.

Q.) What is the legal status of these chemicals?

A.) While legal under federal law, products containing JWH-018 and JWH-073 are banned in several states and by the U.S. armed forces. At present, JWH-250 is illegal in only one state. Legal restrictions on these compounds are likely to be imposed nationwide. Additionally, they are banned by a number of European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Russia, as well as South Korea. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) labeled them a "drug and chemical of concern" in 2009.

Q.) Why use our Lab to test for synthetic cannabinoids?

A.) Our Lab is one of the largest, full-service, independent drug and alcohol testing laboratories in the United States.

Our LAB utilizes state-of-the-art screening and confirmation methodologies for urine and oral fluid drug testing and is trusted by over 7,000 customers. These customers rely on the our Lab promise that "We will find out."

Advantages of using our Lab services include:

Q.) How will my agency benefit from choosing the our Lab Synthetic Cannabinoid Test?

A.) Key benefits include: Oral fluid test features include:

Q.) Why are JWH-018 and JWH-073 tested by OUR LAB?

A.) OUR LAB laboratory analysis confirmed JWH-018 and JWH-073 as the primary active ingredients in 37 herbal smoking mixtures, and established test methods to identify the presence of their metabolites in urine.

Q.) How long can JWH-018 and JWH-073 be detected in urine?

A.) The presence of metabolites in urine confirms ingestion of JWH-018 and JWH-073. JWH-018 and JWH-073 metabolites can be detected in urine up to 72 hours (depending on usage/dosage).

Q.) How long can JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-250 be detected in oral fluid?

A.) Drugs in oral fluid can be detected from minutes up to 24-48 hours after ingestion.

Q.) How is JWH-018 and JWH-073 metabolized in urine?

A.) Both JWH-018 and JWH-073 metabolize extensively in humans via oxidation and glucuronide conjugation. Depending on dosage, the hydroxylated JWH-018 and JWH-073 and the carboxylated JWH-018 metabolites can be detected up to 72 hours in urine. Parent drug excreted in human urine has not been reported.

Q.) What are the cut-off levels?

A.) There are no cut-off levels for OUR LAB's Urine Synthetic Cannabinoid Test. Toxicology result reporting for JWH-018 and JWH-073 will indicate either "Detected" or "Not Detected." The cut-off level for the oral fluid test is 0.5 ng/mL for JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-250.

Q.) Will a standard drug test detect synthetic cannabinoids??

A.) Conventional drug test panels will not detect the broad range of synthetic cannabinoids. They pass undetected in standard urine or oral fluid testing for such drugs as cocaine, marijuana, heroin and amphetamines. Our Lab's Urine or Oral Fluid Synthetic Cannabinoid Test can be ordered with your standard panel to ensure detection.

Q.) How accurate and reliable is the our LAB Urine Synthetic Cannabinoid Test?

A.) Our Lab's test will utilize the most sophisticated, sensitive and specific equipment and technology available, LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry) to confirm JWH-018 and JWH-073 urine metabolites.

To reduce false-negative results, the detection method relies on monitoring multiple metabolites for each of the compounds. Other labs that only look for the parent drug in urine will report many false negative results. Our Lab's test methodology provides the most definitive synthetic cannabinoid biomarker test results.

Q.) How accurate and reliable is the our LAB Oral Fluid Synthetic Cannabinoid Test?

A.) Our Lab's test utilizes the most sophisticated, sensitive and specific equipment and technology available, LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry) to confirm JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-250 in oral fluid.

For more detailed information on the drug Spice or K2 see: Spice Drug Information