In recent years, synthetic drugs have become more popular than ever.  It’s not always clear what’s safe, what’s legal, or what’s even considered “weed” anymore. It’s critical before consuming cannabis that you’re educated on the difference between traditional cannabis, lab synthesized cannabis, and street drugs that are often marketed as cannabis. In this blog, you’ll learn what synthetic weed is, how it’s different from traditional cannabis, and why some versions are riskier than others. 

What Is Synthetic Weed?

There are many misconceptions when it comes to synthetic weed. Synthetic weed is a man-made substance designed to mimic the effects of THC, but there are two very different kinds of synthetic weed and the context is important. 

Dangerous Synthetic Weed (Fully Synthetic): This category of drugs, commonly known as Spice or K2, is not made from cannabis and is extremely dangerous. Underground chemists create psychoactive compounds and spray it onto herbs or plants to look like weed. The product acts more as a hallucinogen and is categorized as it’s own type of synthetic drug. It is made in underground labs, overseas, unregulated, untested and highly illegal. This type of product is often bought on the streets, at smoke shops, or even gas stations.

Regulated Synthetic Weed (Semi Synthetic): Regulated synthetic weed, commonly known as Delta 8, Delta 9, HHC, THC-O, are cannabinoids derived from the cannabis and hemp plant. The core reason it is not referred to as traditional cannabis is because the cannabis is altered in a lab. The result is a lab made cannabinoid that mimics traditional THC and traces back to the plant. Regulated synthetic weed is legal in most states and can be shipped to your door or purchased locally.  

What Does Synthetic Weed Look Like?

Illegal synthetic weed (K2/Spice) is usually sold as flower and rarely found in vapes or edibles. It is possible that they are made illicitly, so be sure to check labeling and know where the products were manufactured. These products are extremely dangerous.

Regulated synthetic weed can be sold as flower, vapes, edibles, and more. These are safe and legal to consume, as long as they’re made by a reputable company and tested in labs. It is important to view a Certificate of Analysis (COAs) to ensure the product is safe and compliant. 

Effects of Synthetic Weed

Regulated synthetic weed like Delta 8, Delta 9, HHC, THC-O among others, have similar effects to traditional cannabis. Strains range from mild to strong and may make you feel euphoric, relaxed, or sleepy. Illegal synthetic weed, like K2 and Spice, can lead to anxiety, seizures, and even psychosis. 

Is THCA or Delta 9 Synthetic Weed?

Understanding how specific cannabinoids become synthetic can be confusing. For example, THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is not synethtic and is found in raw cannabis and hemp plants. When THCA is heated (like smoking or vaping), it converts into Delta-9 THC. 

Delta-9 THC can be be both naturally extracted or lab created and semi synthetic. Natural Delta-9 THC comes directly from the cannabis or hemp plant, while lab-created Delta-9 THC is created by converting CBD to Delta-9 through a chemical process. Both products are chemically identical, but the source and way it’s produced determines whether it’s synthetic or natural. 

How to Ensure My Weed is Safe and Legal?

Always make sure you know what you’re consuming. When exploring hemp derived products, like Delta-9, Delta-9, Delta-10, THC-A, THC-O, or HHC, make sure you look for the products Certificate of Analysis. This certificate will ensure you’re purchasing cannabis or synthetic weed from trusted, legal, and reliable sources.

Final Thoughts on Synthetic Weed

From this blog, you now know that synthetic weed can mean very different things, with some products being legal and lab-tested, while other products are dangerous and unregulated. Safe synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10, HHC, and THC-O are typically produced by reputable brands in controlled lab environments by chemists. Synthetic street weed, or illicit synthetic weed, like K2 and Spice, have no connection to cannabis or hemp plants and are extremely dangerous. 

Prior to purchasing synthetic weed, be sure to read product labels carefully, check for third party lab testing (COA’s), and ensure you are purchasing from a reputable provider. If you’re trying a synthetic product, try low quantities,go slow, and choose a trusted brands. At Doobie, we only carry products from vetted partners that meet our standards for safety, transparency, and quality.

Looking to learn more? Head to Doobie’s marketplace for vetted hemp-derived products.

Photo by Andrés Gómez on Unsplash