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DRUGOGRAPHY
Home > Compliance Monitoring > Synthetic Marijuana Testing
One of the most talked-about drugs in the news today is synthetic marijuana, most commonly known as K2/Spice. The United States has seen an increased use of K2/Spice and other synthetic marijuana products due to their legal accessibility and ability to achieve “highs” similar to that of THC. Another perceived benefit held by users is the inability to test for the active chemicals used to manufacture these drugs.
Until now.
AIT Laboratories is pleased to be among the first toxicology laboratories in the country to offer testing in urine and blood for JWH-018 and JWH-073, the active ingredients in K2/Spice and similar synthetic marijuana products, as part of its vast menu of compliance testing services for healthcare practitioners monitoring patient compliance.
Why AIT?
AIT’s foundation as a forensic toxicology laboratory, use of sophisticated technology, and emphasis on scientific excellence and quality in testing allows our lab to offer unparalleled service in the area of drug detection.
Our testing also has a proven track record of helping physicians in a variety of specialties reduce instances of non-compliance within their practices. Read our expert article published in Practical Pain Management to review two AIT case studies that demonstrate the benefits of compliance monitoring as part of an effective risk mitigation strategy.
To learn more about our compliance testing services, click here.
Why test for K2/Spice?
JWH-018 and JWH-073, the active ingredients in K2/Spice originally designed in the 1990s to make herbal incense blends, are synthetic cannabinoid drugs that affect the central nervous system, immune system, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Because the production of these “fake pot” products are unregulated and not held to high quality-control standards, the potency of JWH-018, JWH-073, and other related drugs cannot be controlled or verified. Therefore, when compared to THC, the adverse effects of these compounds are more intense than what has typically been reported with marijuana use. In fact, panic attacks, increased paranoia, increased agitation, respiratory issues, severely impaired motor skills, and inhibited cognitive function, as well as tachycardia and severe hypertension, have been reported after a single use of K2/Spice.
K2/Spice, as well as any other type of incense, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently using its emergency scheduling authority to temporarily control these chemicals while it conducts further study to determine whether these chemicals and products should be permanently controlled. (Read the press release here) In addition, more than a dozen states have taken action to outlaw one or more of the chemicals used to produce synthetic marijuana to date, and that list grows with each passing month.
For reference information and additional reading material on K2/Spice, click here.
Learn More
Synthetic marijuana testing from AIT is available in urine and blood and can be ordered in conjunction with our prescription drug testing and narcotics panel, DetectiMed. For more information about AIT’s synthetic marijuana testing services, contact our Client Services Department.