The co-production of shifting intoxications: synthetic cannabinoids, stigma, risk and harm

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids (also referred to as ‘Spice’ and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs)) have become part of the global drug landscape. The rise of new psychoactive substances (NPS) presents unique challenges for policy makers and those who seek to reduce drug-related harms. Synthetic cannabinoids are often noted as having intense effects due to their interactions with receptors in the brain. In recent years, they have become popular amongst disadvantaged groups who suffer from multiple health and other social harms. The association of synthetic cannabinoids with groups such as those who are homeless, has led to the intensification of stigma around this particular drug. This conceptual paper seeks to explore shifting intoxications in relation to synthetic cannabinoids, including a discussion of debates about stigma and the co-production of knowledge about drugs and their users. The legislative responses to NPS and synthetic cannabinoids will also be examined focusing on the notion of ‘success’ and global legislation. Recent NPS legislation is positioned as part of the co-production of synthetic cannabinoid users and their construction as abject and disorderly. As such, it becomes part of the assemblage of synthetic cannabinoids and creates an environment that produces risks and harms for specific marginalised groups.

Keywords:

• Synthetic cannabinoids
• co-production
• stigma

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the editors of this special issue and to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 This term is used to distinguish plant-based cannabis from synthetic cananbinopids.

2 Full agonists induce a maximum response from CB receptors in the brain. The THC in ‘natural’ cannabis is a partial agonist and produces a less intense effect (Zawilska & Wojcieszak, 2013).

3 Although Deligianni et al. (2020, p. 514) noted that GDS showed increases in the use of synthetic cannabinoids from 2015–2017.

4 Head shops were specialised retail outlets that sold NPS alongside other drug paraphanalia such as bongs and pipes. Head shop staff were also often knowledgeable about products and about how to reduce harm from taking NPS.

5 BZP is short for benzylpiperazine a substance that has stimulant properties similar to amphetamine but about one tenth the strength (Cohen & Butler, 2011).

6 BZP-PPs is short for Benzylpiperazine based party pills (See Hutton, 2017).

7 A ‘tinny house’ is a New Zealand term referring to properties that sell illegal drugs such as cannabis, MDMA and amphetamines. In the New Zealand context ‘tinny houses’ are also associated with gangs.