Cannabis adulterated with the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-4en-PINACA and the role of European drug checking services.

Abstract

BackgroundEuropean drug checking services exchange information on drug trends within the Trans European Drug Information (TEDI) network, allowing monitoring and coordination of responses. Starting in Spring 2020, several services detected the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-4en-PINACA in adulterated low-THC cannabis products.MethodsCannabis products suspected of adulteration were analyzed for the presence of MDMB-4en-PINACA by 9 services in 8 countries within the TEDI network. If available, phytocannabinoid analysis was also performed.Results1142 samples sold as cannabis in herbal, resin and e-liquid form were analyzed, of which 270 were found to contain MDMB-4en-PINACA. All cannabis samples contained low THC (ConclusionAdulteration of cannabis with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists is a new phenomenon that carries risk for people who use it. Given that cannabis consumers are not a usual target group for drug checking services, services and associated harm reduction interventions could be reconfigured to include them