Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists and Vape Liquids

"SCRA vaping products were almost exclusively on sale as liquid formulations for refilling EVDs. It therefore does not appear that the rise in popularity of disposable nicotine e-cigarettes [17] has so far impacted on the online SCRA vaping product market. The most common bottle size on sale was 5mL. Given the lack of data on the concentration of SCRA in these liquids, it is difficult to quantify how many SCRA doses this may constitute. However, this volume of liquid is likely to provide at least several hundred puffs and, given the potency of known SCRAs, this is likely to represent several hundred psychoactive “doses”. For reference, since 2020 UK e-cigarette tanks are limited to a maximum volume of 2mL.

"SCRA vaping products were offered both in small volumes consistent with supply for personal use, and large volumes suggestive of supply for further distribution. Prices varied significantly by brand, website and by the size of the purchase, however average prices by volume were similar to those found in a previous survey [15].

"Of the minority (4.5%) of SCRA vaping products in which an active compound was listed, the most common was 5 F-AKB48. This fourth generation SCRA [32] was also a common compound found in a previous Europe-wide SCRA snapshot survey performed in 2017 [16] and in serum analyses of patients presenting with drug toxicity to an emergency department in London in 2015 [33]. Of the other SCRA compounds listed in this study, they were a combination of first generation (e.g. JWH-018) and later generation SCRA compounds. It is likely that 5 F-MDMB-PINACA and 5 F-ADB refer to the same compound as each other, as do 5 F-CUMYL-PINACA and SGT-25 [34]. Interestingly, there was no advertising of AB-CHMINACA or MDMB-CHMICA, two SCRA compounds which have become relatively well-known for being associated with significant toxicity [35–37].

"Several factors raise concerns that SCRA vaping products could be purchased and consumed by undiscerning customers, or misused even by experienced consumers. Websites were easily accessed and products were available at a range of prices. Products were generally sold with minimal or no explanation of their contents or how to use them. Where descriptions of ingredients or psychoactive effects were provided, they tended to be abstract, vague or incorrect. There was generally no information on the chemical make-up of active ingredients or solvents, conditions of preservation, expiry date or EVD settings necessary for use. SCRA vaping products were often sold alongside legal products such as nicotine-containing EVDs or CBD products and, concerningly, many websites stated their products were legal."