A potent drug developed in clandestine laboratories is being sold as if it were marijuana in the capital of São Paulo. Despite being called by the name of the herb, the synthetic, liquid substance does not resemble the plant at all and it is still unknown for professionals in the areas of health and public safety.
Cannabinoid
This drug has nothing like marijuana, but because it acts on the same receptor it is called a cannabinoid. The drug acts on the same receptor as the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — responsible for the weed’s effect — and provides a more intense and unpredictable effect. The synthetic drug is liquid and odorless.
Effects
The drug’s unpredictable effects made drug dealers ban users from consuming it near the spots where it is sold. Some of the drug’s effects already reported include: vomiting and loss of consciousness, fainting. Experts say that drug users are “guinea pigs” for dealers. Opioid and cocaine molecules have already been found in samples of the cannabinoid. In addition, at least four molecules developed in laboratory have been identified in the synthetic marijuana sold by criminals in São Paulo: 5F MDMB PICA; MDMB 4EN PINACA; 4F MDMB BUTINE; and MDA 19 (BZO HEXOXIZID).
Spice, Space, K2 and K4
On the streets, the so-called synthetic marijuana is referred to as spice, space, K2, and K4. However, the two last names make reference to slightly different versions of the same drug. K2 is prepared with crushed leaves, flowers and even spices, such as oregano, later, drug dealers spray them with the synthetic substance. Meanwhile, K4 is the version found in prisons across São Paulo state. This model is sprayed on cardboard.
Seizures – Growing Presence
Even though still small, the presence of this drug seems to be growing. The Denarc seized in 2022 about 12 kilos of the drug in the city. In the whole of last year, it was six kilos. In 2020, there were no records and, in 2019, only 22 grams were seized. Data from police records indicate an increase of 1,863% in seizures of k4, comparing the 72 cases of 2018 with the 1,414 of last year.
