K2 is a brand of synthetic cannabis made up of herbs and the chemical compound JWH-018, which produces similar effects to cannabis. The JWH-018 compound was synthesized by John Huffman, a Clemson University student, in the mid 90s and is structurally similar to THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. Pot smokers picked up on Huffman’s work and brought batches of JWH-018 and started spraying it onto varying mixes of flowers, dried herbs and tobacco leaves. This composite known as K2 quickly spread onto the internet as a new way of getting high without breaking the law. However, recent research has shown that K2 contains synthetic cannabinoids which act in a very similar way to cannabinoids normally found in THC. Manufactures claim that this synthetic cannabis contains a mix of traditional herbs, each of which produce mild effects with the overall outcome of a cannabis-like intoxication produced by the product. This has been doubted by people who claim that the cannabis-like effect is produced by a synthetic cannabinoid drug which should be illegal. It seems that how much JWH-018 is in spice depends on the different brands. Research has shown that manufactures constantly change the composition of their products and the amount of JWH-018 can vary from 0.2% to 3%. In January 2009, researchers at Freiburg University discovered that the active substance in K2 was an undisclosed analogue of the synthetic cannbinoid CP 47,497 later named cannanbicyclohexanol. No official studies have been conducted on its effect on humans so we are unsure if it is dangerous to health, but many forms of the drug have now been banned in many countries around Europe. It is not illegal in the United States but some compounds are scheduled to be outlawed and many independent states have now made the drug illegal under state law.
