Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids, which are man-made drugs originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. Synthetic cannabinoids are from the synthetic cannabinoid class of drugs that are often marketed and sold under the guise of “herbal incense” or “potpourri”. Spice is not a single drug, but a range of laboratory-made chemicals that mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. These chemicals, or synthetic cannabinoids, bind to the receptors in our brains the same way that cannabinoids from marijuana plants bind. Spice is generally sold as “herbal incense” and “potpourri” under names like K2 and Spice, as well as many other names, at small convenience stores, head shops, gas stations, and via the Internet from both domestic and international sources.

Spice is linked to serious health issues ranging from difficulties breathing to psychotic episodes. Research suggests that Spice and other forms of synthetic cannabis are capable of producing much more intense and prolonged effects at much lower doses than natural cannabis. Although the consequences of long-term regular use are not well defined, experts believe that synthetic cannabis has the potential to develop, or cause a relapse of mental illness, especially if there is a family history of mental disorders. The chemicals in Spice don’t have any medical benefit, and many of those chemicals have been deemed illegal by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).