Abstract
Synthetic marijuana compounds are more potent than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) and are known to produce a wide variety of clinical symptoms including cardiac toxicity, seizures, and death. Erratic driving by a 45 y/o male was witnessed in the fall of 2017 and roadside evaluation of the driver by the responding law enforcement officer concluded that the driver was intoxicated. Comprehensive analysis of the cigarettes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected the synthetic cannabinoid 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB or 5F-MDMB-PINACA). Validated forensic liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were used to detect the 5-fluoro ADB metabolite 7 (26.37 ng/mL) in the driver's blood sample. No other drugs were detected. This case report is one of the first to conclusively show that designer synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as "K2" and "Spice", can significantly impair driving at relatively low concentrations.
Highlights
The use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has grown in popularity throughout the past decade
Comprehensive analytical testing of blood samples and residual cigarettes confirmed the presence of the synthetic cannabinoid 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB, 5F-MDMB-PINACA), an illicit compound that first appeared in the US in 2014
Previous liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods validated for detecting synthetic cannabinoids and other designer drugs were modified to detect 5F-ADB and 5F-ADB metabolite 7 (Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI) [3,4,5]
Summary
The use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has grown in popularity throughout the past decade. Illegal laboratories make simple modifications to one or more structural components to mimic the effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), evade laboratory detection, and challenge law enforcement, regulatory frameworks, and medical care providers [2]. These new designer drugs are commonly referred to as either “K2” or “Spice”. Journal of Forensic Science & Criminology and subsequently failed the Walk-and-Turn (unable to maintain heel to toe position, lost count while walking, and raised arms repeatedly) and One Leg Stand (put foot down and used hands to balance) field sobriety tests He was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and transported to the hospital.
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