DEA Seeks Information for Emergency Scheduling of Synthetic Cannabinoids

December 2, 2010 9:30 am

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeks assistance as the agency is in the process of collecting information for emergency scheduling of several synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP 47, 497, and canabicyclohexanol) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The synthetic cannabinoids are being marketed as “legal” alternatives to marijuana, packaged alone or laced on plant material, under names including but not limited to Spice, K2, Zohai, Dream, Genie, and Serenity. The products are being sold over the Internet and also via certain retail channels. Reports of overdosing have been connected with these products.

DEA seeks information and data on patterns of abuse and adverse effects pertaining to these cannabinoids such as redacted hospital records, toxicology reports, case studies, law enforcement encounters, drug identification records, incident reports, and medical examiner reports. DEA stresses that such information will be critical to the federal government’s evaluation regarding the imminent public risk associated with these substances, and will inform the evaluation process for temporary control of these products and consideration for formal placement in Schedule I of the CSA. Information can be forwarded to DEA by sending an e-mail to douglas.a.snyder@usdoj.gov.