FACT SHEET A selection of internet-based information JWH-018

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1 FACT SHEET A selection of internet-based information JWH-018 Scientific Institute of Public Health Drugs and Illegal Substances Program National Focal Point on Drugs Juliette Wytsmanstreet Brussels Belgium BIRN@wiv-isp.be

2 Epidemiology August 2010 Brussels, Belgium Nathalie Deprez, MSc. Science at the service of Public health, Food chain safety and Environment. 2

3 The aim of this fact sheet is to inform professionals working in the drugs field about the characteristics of an illegal substance. It is a service to laboratories, hospitals and other partners who collaborate in the Belgian Early Warning System. The fact sheet is a selection of information available on the internet and sources that we perceive as being reliable. Corrections and suggestions for internet sources are welcome. Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels 2010 This report may not be reproduced, published or distributed without the consent of the ISP WIV. 3

4 A. General information Recent seizure in Belgium (information provided by Dr. J. De Beer, IPH) Two bags of each 1g white powder contained JWH-018. The bags were seized at Brussels airport carrying the name of Bonzai Black Diamond and Bonzai Cyprus. From EMCDDA s reporting file Substance: JWH-018 Created December 2008 Updated July 2010 Type Narcotic drugs Group Cannabinoids Name JWH-018 Nature of substance JWH-018 is a synthetic cannabimimetic aminoalkylindole (an alkyl analog of JWH-073). This ligand is selective for the CB2 receptor (Ki=2.9 nm, Huffman 2009), having also affinity for the CB1 receptor (Ki=9 nm). JWH-018 has been found to be the primary active ingredient in Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Spice Diamond, herbal blends which simulate the effects of marijuana. For a NOTE ON THE SATE OF PLAY on Spice and related synthetic cannabinoids see below under Other Names. Systematic chemical name Naphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanon Other names EMCDDA (2009), Understanding the 'Spice' phenomenon, Thematic papers, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction: 20%E2%80%98Spice%E2%80%99%20phenomenon_4Update% pdf 4

5 Reports to EMCDDA Croatia (Reporting Form): On 28 July 2010 the NFP reported 3 seizures of JWH-018 in Zagreb: 1) 0,12 g ( ); 2) 0,50 g ( ); and 3) 45,54 ( ). The mixture of plant material also contained traces of JWH-250, JWH-073, and JWH-398. Hungary (Reporting Form): In July 2010 the NFP reported 2 seizures of brown resin, 2.96 g (3 pieces) and 1.72 g (3 pieces), seized by the Police at Pécs, in April and June. United Kingdom (Other): In July 2010 the UK NFP reported that JWH-018 and AM-694 were identified in a product called Loco Elite. Turkey (Reporting Form): In May 2010 the NFP reported for the 1st time a seizure of 0,6g JWH-018 seized by the Turkish Police at Eskişehir Bulgaria (Reporting Form): In June 2010 the NFP reported 4,27g of resin analysed in June 2010 by the National Institute of Criminology Norway (Reporting Form): In March 2010 the NFP informed that Kripos (National Criminal Investigation Service) reported a seizure of g beige powder seized by the Police in December 2009 at Fredrikstad, Norway. Germany (Other): On 22 March 2010 the NFP informed that "the police laboratory identified The synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 detected in samples of "Extra Fine Incense Chocolate". Cyprus (EWS Report): In its 2009 EWS final report the NFP reported that on 14/12/2009 police reported seizures of 204 sachets of Spice -type products commercially available, which included the following brand names: Ivory Wave, Smoke Plus, Aromatherapy Incense, Exses Platinum, Warrior Newze, Sensation Blackberry, Solar Super. Laboratory results identified within these samples traces of the following substances: Lidocaine, MDPV, JWH-018, CB-Hom. Of CP-47,497, JWH-073. United Kingdom (Other): On 9 November 2009 the NFP informed that: "On 22/4/09, The Tayside Police in Dundee, Scotland seized 300g of off-white powder found to contain JWH-018." United Kingdom (Reporting Form): In October 2009 the NFP reported that three separate products were found to contain JWH-398. The three samples collected between February and June also contained JWH-018, the dimethylhexyl homologue of CP-47,497 and either JWH-019 or JWH-007 (these structural isomers were not distinguishable by mass spectrometry). Other cannabinoid agonists were present as follows: 1. JWH-073, and the dimethylnonyl homologue of CP-47,497. In addition, a substance similar to, but not identical with, JWH-081 was also detected. 2. Dimethyloctyl homologue of CP-47, CP-47,497 and the dimethyloctyl homologue of CP-47,497. Ireland (Other): On 28 September 2009 the NFP reported that the FSL determined ( without a reference standard ) a substance to contain indications of JWH-018. The amount of substance- a brown/yellow solid was 1,109.3 grams (1.1 kilograms ). This is the first time this chemical has been submitted to the FSL. 5

6 Finland (EWS Report): In ist EWS progress report for the 1st half of 2009 the NFP reported: From Customs: - 1 seizure of 90g groats (Afghan incense) - 3 seizures of groats, 3045g (Genie) - 1 seizure of 2,9g groats (Infinity aromatherapy), including also JMW-073 and CP 47,497-2 seizures of groats, 6g (Magic silver) - 2 seizures of groats, 645g (Mojo) - 4 seizures of groats, 122,7g (Smoke) - 3 seizures of groats, 1515g (Spice arctic synergy), including also CP 47,497-2 seizures of groats, 1260g (Spice diamond spirit) - 1 seizure of 90g groats (Spce gold spirit) - 2 seizures of groats, 720g (Spice tropical synergy), including also CP 47,497-2 seizures of groats, 13,7g (Yucatan fire), including also CP 47,497 Sweden (EWS Report): In its EWS Report for the 1st half of 2009 the NFP reported 1 seizure of 1035g plant material; 3 seizures of powder, 3,44g (Spice and JWH-018). Luxembourg (EWS Report): In its EWS Report for the 1st half of 2009 the NFP reported that the toxicological analysis performed in February 2009 by the Natuional Laboratory of Health by applying gaz chromatography associated to mass spectroscopy and liquid chromatography associated to mass spectroscopy detected at 2,5g Smoke: JWH-018, Oleamide and Eugenol. Hungary (EWS Report): In its EWS Report for the 1st half of 2009 the NFP reported the identification of JWH-018 in a seizure of 1g Spice-Diamond. Poland (EWS Report): In its EWS Report for the 1st half of 2009 the NFP reported - 1 seizure of 3,15g herbal mixture - 1 seizure of 0,98g herbal mixture containing also CP 47,497-C8 and its trans isomer and Mitragynine - 9 seizures of total 20,15g herbal mixture containing also CP 47,497-C8 and its trans isomer (from Institute Forensic Research) Slovakia (Reporting Form): On 24 June 2009 the NFP reported that the analysis of 2 collected samples of Spice Diamond revealed the presence of JWH-018, CP 47,497 United Kingdom (Reporting Form): On 14 June 2009 the NFP informed that TITAC analysed Spice and similar products purchased from UK websites. The results are as follows: Spice gold, JWH 018, CP Spice Diamond, JWH 018, CP Ex-ses platinum, JWH 018, CP 47497, HU -210 Spike 99 ultra, JWH 018, CP 47497, HU -210 Spicey XXX,, JWH 018, CP 47497, HU United Kingdom (Other): On 28 May 2009 the NFP reported: Seizure date: 7/5/2009 Location: Essex 427mg white powder Suspect claimed the powder was JWH-018 GC-MS: 1 peak and mass spectrum matches that of JWH-018 Marquis: yellow green, rapidly darkening to dark green On 25 September 2009 the NFP informed that JWH-018 was confirmed by H-NMR spectroscopy. The IR spectrum suggested that there were no other substances present. 6

7 United Kingdom (Other): On 31 March 2009 the NFP informed that the MHRA in London obtained samples of Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Spice Gold in November 2008 from a shop in Bournemouth. Later, they found them to contain JWH-018. United Kingdom (Other): On 13 March 2009 the NFP informed that in Jersey the compounds JWH-018 and CP-47,497 have been identified in Spice but not HU 210. Poland (Reporting Form): On 2 March 2009 the NFP reported 1 collected sample of brown/green herbal mix. It has been collected by the Central Bureau of Investigation of Police Headquarters for analytical purpose of Central Forensic Laboratory of Police, Warsaw at the end of January Germany (Reporting Form): In February 2009 the NFP reported blood samples collected at the end of 2008 at Freiburg. The Spice herbal mixture which has been smoked contained also CP 47,497. France (Other): On 5 February 2009 the NFP informed that no trace of JWH 018 and CP-47,497 was detected on analyzing a mix called "Gorillaz" (close to Spice according to some users and available in the same website). Austria (Reporting Form): In December 2008 the NFP reported that this compound has been identified in at least three SPICE products (gold, silver and diamond). Chemistry Other chemical names and variants 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphtoyl)indole (systematic name) Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number Molecular information Molecular structure: Molecular formula: C 24 H 23 NO Molecular weight: g/mol 7

8 Identification and analytical profile. NMR data for JWH-018 kindly provided by Mike White (FSS)/UK (Part 3) NMR data for JWH-018 kindly provided by Mike White (FSS)/UK (Part 2) NMR data for JWH-018 kindly provided by Mike White (FSS)/UK (Part 1) Lindigkeit R, Boehme A, Eiserloh I, Luebbecke M, Wiggermann M, Ernst L, Beuerle T. (2009) Spice: A never ending story? Forensic Sci Int Jul 7, doi: /j.forsciint BBFE5-D17A-AEB FE03F8996.pdf 1E1CE57B- E862-6FC5-8DBDB74CA20738C3.pdf Analytical data on Spice/JWH-018, received from the UK NFP (produced by their MHRA colleagues) Information from the Austrian colleagues (AGES PharmMed) on the methods used for the identification of JWH GC-MS spectrum of JWH-018 * Synthesis, manufacture and precursors. Physical description JWH-018 is a brown, lumpy, slightly-sticky dry compound. In its raw state it is extremely dense, this accounts for its surprisingly dark appearance, and also for the colour variations - as the denser portions will appear much darker. After processing the compound, such as manually in a grinder, or via a simple crystallization process, the appearance radically changes. Shaving some flakes off a small lump of JWH-018 with a sharp blade results in flakes of a consistent light brown colour. Crystallizing the same compound results in fine crystals of an even lighter tan colour - this is also a commonly distributed form. Regardless, it all comes from the original, >98% pure, dark solid. Uses & Risks Modes and scope of the established or expected use. Health risks Pharmacology: Several indole- and pyrrole-derived cannabinoids were tested in a battery of in vivo tests (Wiley et al. 1998), including hypomobility (measured by suppression of spontaneous activity), antinociception (maximum possible antinociceptive effects in the tail-flick assay), hypothermia (rectal 8

9 temperature) and catalepsy (ring immobility) in mice. The responses were compared to the characteristic profile of cannabinoids. JWH-018 produced potent cannabinoid effects on spontaneous activity, tail flick, rectal temperature and ring immobility, being less potent at decreasing rectal temperature and producing ring immobility than at producing antinociception and hypomobility. With the exception of spontaneous activity, JWH-018 was more active in the responses than JWH-073. Social risks. Other uses. Publications EMCDDA 'Spice' briefing paper at Toxichem Krimtech 2010;77(1):39 N. Uchiyama, et al., Chemical analysis of synthetic cannabinoids as designer drugs in herbal products,forensic Sci. Int. (2010), doi: /j.forsciint Atwood, B. K., et al., JWH018, a common constituent of Spice herbal blends, is a potent and efficacious cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, British Journal of Pharmacology (2010) doi: Hammersley, R., (2010), Dangers of banning Spice and the synthetic cannabinoid agonists, Addiction, 105, articles on Spice from Istvan Ujvary, published in the August 7 and 14 issue of the Hungarian weeky Élet és Tudomány /Life and Science/. Uchiyama, N, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Kawahara N, Goda Y (2009) Identification of a cannabimimetic indole as a designer drug in a herbal product. Forensic Toxicol 2009, 27, Huffman JW (2009)Cannabimimetic Indoles, Pyrroles, and Indenes: Structure-Activity Relathionships and Receptor Interactions, P.H. Reggio (ed.), The Cannabinoid Receptors, The Receptors, DOI / _3 (2009) Piggee C (2009) Investigating a not-so-natural high, Anal. Chem 81(9), pp Microgram Bulletin, March 2009 Volker Auwärter, Sebastian Dresen, Wolfgang Weinmann, Michael Müller, Michael Pütz, Nerea Ferreirós, "Spice and other herbal blends: harmless incense or cannabinoid designer drugs?", JMS Letter, Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 2008 Christian Steup, Untersuchung des Handelsproduktes Spice,THC Pharm GmbH., 30 December Chin C, Murphy JW, Huffman JW, Kendall DA (1999) The Third Transmembrane Helix of the Cannabinoid Receptor Plays a Role in the Selectivity of Aminoalkylindoles for CB2, Peripheral 9

10 Cannabinoid Receptor. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1999, 291(2), Wiley JL, Compton DR, Dai D, Lainton JAH, Phillips M, Huffman JW, Martin BR (1998) Structure-Activity Relationships of Indole- and Pyrrole-Derived Cannabinoids. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 285(3) Weblinks Lallemand, A., "L «herbe» KO face au faux gazon", Le Soir, 6/11/09 1&queryor=spice&pos=1&all=490&nav=1 See article. 'Spice product faces further ban' by Andrew Jack, The Financial Times, March "Teens in Britain getting legally high on synthetic cannabis banned across Europe", Telegraph, 13 Feb "Drugs shipped as incense seized at DHL", Wilmington News Journal, 3 Feb Concerns over 'chemical cannabis', Stuff, New Zealand, 10 Jan Synthetic cannabis mimic found in herbal incense, 15 January Spice in the german media * only a selection of the documents concerning the identification and analytical profile are displayed here 10

11 B. Pictures From Bulgaria C. Experiences of users Several documents exist on the experiences of users. The following text is just one example. Heaven and Hell (Overdose?) JWH-018 by Jordan DOSE: 2 mg smoked JWH-018 (powder / crystals) BODY WEIGHT: 185 lb There has been a lot of speculation about the chemical and its use in Spice. Intrigued, I received a small sample and decided to try it for myself, in its pure (or impure) form. Here are the results: 2 milligrams was weighed with a.001g scale and placed on a small strip of aluminum foil. Looking at it, it is only the size of about 3 grains of salt. Cutting it is fairly difficult. It has the consistency of plastic, and a VERY pungent and unpleasant odor. Experience Number 1: 11

12 (11:15): JWH-018 vaped off of aluminum foil. The taste is bearable, but only just. It tastes very similar to smoking plastic. (11:16): The effects are felt almost immediately. I first noticed a slight visual change that grew slowly until it was very pronounced. Everything seemed close up and the room oscillated back and forth. It felt almost like being on a boat. (11:18): I burst out into uncontrollable laughter while my friend prepares his dose. This lasted for about 45 minutes (this isn't an exaggeration!) My throat was bone dry afterward, and it continued to hurt the next day. (~12:00): Waves of fiery euphoria sweep over my body. It starts as a burning sensation in the back of my head and travels to my chest and lingers down my spine. Making a sharp pulse towards my feet, it comes back home to rest on the upper parts of my back. This continues for several minutes, with brief bursts of laughter and headache. (12:45): I now begin to think I am losing my mind. I grab several bottles of water and begin to chug, trying to wash the substance out of my system. I spend about thirty minutes on the toilet trying to go to the bathroom. Eventually I get nauseous and proceed to projectile vomit into the floor. My friend leaves and I go to bed. I wake up groggy the next morning, but have the best sleep of my life Experience Number Despite the negative effects of my first dose, I liked the positive effects so much I decide to give it another go the next day. (6:00): Roughly 1 milligram JWH-018 is vaped off of aluminum foil. (6:15): I'm not feeling anything, so I eyeball around micrograms more and vaporize it. (6:20): The effects begin to show. Most anything makes me laugh, vision is stretched, tingling burning sensation makes its rounds over my body. You could probably chop my hand off and I wouldn't notice it. (6:45): I stare at the floor enjoying the typhoon of euphoria that explodes on my shores, and begin to notice that the sun is going down. The light that came through my window was a vibrant neon blue. I sat 20 minutes watching it flow into my living room and engulf everything it touched. The technocolor pigment shined off of the furniture making a crystal-like surrounding. It was borderline psychedelic. (7:10): I decided to lay down and enjoy some music. I put on a number of things, ranging from the Tiger Lilies, Hank Williams Sr., and Bob Dylan. One the things I liked was the music appreciation. Everything seemed more vibrant and deep. Especially with some of Dylan's work, I noticed I could 'isolate' a certain instrument or sound in my mind and follow it through out the song. The complexity of my experience was a complete Sound-gasm (TM). My friend also decides to order some food. Chinese. (7:45): The food gets here and I dive in. There's nothing I won't eat. General Tsao Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Egg Drop Soup, Fortune Cookies; you name it. The munchies are definitely a part of the experience for me with this substance. (8:15): I'm very tired, and fall into a foggy sleep. It is very restful. (10:40): I wake up groggy and get on the computer. The grogginess dissipates after 10 or 15 minutes, leaving me mildly but pleasantly relaxed Conclusion: In moderation this is a very good substitute for cannabis. Since my first experience I have bought a gram which should last a good while. The price is also very economical ($100/500 doses per gram = $0.20 per dose). Everything is there: Munchies, music appreciation, red eye. The effects were speedier for me though and the time dilation significant. 5 minutes in feels like an eternity. For me it also has dissociative and psychedelic undertones. It should be noted that because I have a cheap scale, my doses may range a bit. My first dose of 2 12

13 milligrams may very well have been 3 milligrams, however it did say 2 milligrams on the scale. Because it could have varied either way ( to 1 milligram or 3), I decided to average it out and leave it at 2 milligrams. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SUBSTANCE!!!! IT IS EXTREMELY POTENT AND AN OVERDOSE IS NOT PLEASANT. I would start with 0.5 milligrams to 1 milligram and re dose as needed. Exp Year: 2008 ID: Gender: Male Added: Mar 12, 2009 D. Legal status From EMCDDA Austria: controlled On 3rd of March 2009 this decree was replaced by another decree, which prohibits the import and distribution of all incense mixtures which contain cannabinomimetic substances. A directive under the Medicines Act of 7 January 2009 declares that smoking mixes containing JWH-018 are prohibited to be imported or marketed, and the Austrian authorities continue to review whether control under the Narcotic Drugs Law is required. Cyprus: non-controlled Following a meeting prompted by the emergence of Spice products on the Cyprus market, and held at the Cyprus Anti-drugs Council offices on 23/11/2009, services have initiated the coordination of a more rapid procedure for the inclusion of new substances under legal control. The introduction of legal controls for synthetic cannabinoids JWH-073, JWH-081, JWH-018, JWH-250 and for MDPV, and CP-47,497, and its homologues C6, C7, C8 & C9 is already underway 13

14 Denmark: controlled On the recommendation of The National Board of Health, the Danish Minister for the Interior and Health has decided to add this substance to the Danish lists of controlled substances (List B). On 26 February 2010, the Minister has signed the Executive Order amending the Executive Order on Euphoriant Substances which will enter into force on 4 March Subsequently, the above mentioned substances may only be used for medical or scientific purposes. Estonia: controlled Since 24 July 2009, the following synthetic cannabinoids are controlled by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act: CP 47,497, and its C6, C8, and C9 homologues, HU-210 and JWH-018. France: controlled Since 24 February 2009 synthetic cannabinoids that have been found in "Spice" or "Gorilla" in the list of narcotics. There is also a press release on the subject. Germany: controlled Under 24th Amending Regulation on Narcotic Drugs (24. BtMÄndV), which will enter into force on 22 January 2010 JWH-018, JWH-019, JWH-073 and CP 47,497 fall permanently under schedule II BtMG ( narcotics eligible for trade but not for medical prescription ). Following a rapid control under the Pharmaceutical Law, an emergency regulation brought 5 synthetic cannabinoids found in Spice samples, including JWH-018 and CP , under Table II of the Narcotic Drugs Law, equating them to THC, as from 22 January Ireland: controlled On 11 May the Irish Government moved against head shops with a two-fold strategy using the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 and 1984, and a newly drafted Criminal Law (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 from the Department of Justice. Since 11 May, synthetic cannabinoids, benzylpiperazine derivatives and six named cathinones are banned substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act with a prison sentence of up to seven years and/or a fine for unlawful possession and, on indictment, up to a maximum period of life imprisonment for unlawful supply. Under the proposed Criminal Law (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010, the sale or supply of substances for human consumption which may not be specifically proscribed (prohibited) under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but which have psychoactive effects, will be a crime. Italy: controlled On 16th June 2010 the Italian Minister of Health signed a Law Decree that includes mephedrone and the synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 into Table I of the President of the Republic Decree of 9th October 1990, n.309, about psychoactive and psychotropic substances, drug prevention, care and drug addiction rehabilitation. Latvia: controlled Amendments to the Cabinet Regulations N 847 came into force in November 28, 2009 and according to this eight new substances were put under control: CP 47,497 and three its 14

15 homologues C6, C8, C9, HU-210, JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250, JWH-398, leonotis leonorus, nymphaea caerulea. Lithuania: controlled On 27 May 2009 a Decree of the Health Minister added synthetic cannabinoids: JWH-018, JWH-073, HU-210, CP-47,497 and homologues to the 1st schedule (Plants, narcotic and psychotropic substances, banned from medical use because of harm when abused). Luxembourg: controlled All synthetic agonists of cannbinoid receptors (of which some enter in the composition of "SPICE") have been put under control under the national drug legislation which enter into force on Poland: controlled The Polish Parliament adopted the Act of law amending the Act on counteracting drug addiction on 20 March 2009 (Dz.UNr 63 z 23 kwietnia 2009/pozycja Nr 520), and it entered into force on 8 May According to this act, JWH-018 and some of the claimed herbal ingredients of Spice, such as Leonotis leonurus and Nymphaea caerulea, have been put on the list of controlled substances. Romania: controlled Controlled by Governmental decision which entered in force on 15 February Slovakia: non-controlled The revision of relevant Drug Law (Act.139/1998 Coll.) to control new synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018, JWH-073, HU-210, CP (and homologues C6, C8, C9) is currently under the process. Sweden: controlled The Government classifies seven substances, synthetic cannabinoids with similar effects as cannabis, as narcotics. The Government decision was made the on July 30th and state a change in the legislation (1992:1554) on control of narcotics. The change will be effective starting September 15th. The Swedish Government have decided to classify the seven substances CP 47,497; CP 47,497-C6; CP 47,497-C8; CP 47,497-C9; JWH-018; JWH-073 and HU-210 as narcotics. The substances are all synthetic cannabinoids with effects similar to those of cannabis. The substances occur in different herbal mixtures intended for smoking. One of several names of these herbal mixtures is Spice.' United Kingdom: controlled House of Lords approves Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2009 which enter into force on 23rd December 2009 USA: 15

16 "Prohibition: Ban on Spice, BZP Passes Kansas Senate" Belgian Royal decree Up till now not included in a royal decree. E. References