Four puffs were enough to do it. " take off ". Nicolas Durand (name changed) thought he was "relax" smoking CBD, a molecule extracted from cannabis known for its relaxing properties, but experienced the opposite extreme. Accelerated heart rate, tightness in the chest, followed by a fit of uncontrollable hilarity: "I'm stoned and on the verge of an anxiety attack.", he confided to AFP. "I was scared."
Synthetic cannabinoids sprayed on CBD flowers
"Bad trips" linked to CBD, sold legally in France in a network of around 2,000 shops, tobacconists and websites, are increasing, according to health authorities, who have recorded several hundred cases of poisoning since the beginning of 2024.
In June, the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) and Anses (health safety) issued a warning: certain products "contain other substances, rarely identified on the packaging, the consumption of which causes a significant increase in poisoning."
The side effects, sometimes dangerous, are linked to the presence of synthetic cannabinoids, so-called "alternative" molecules, which can be sprayed on CBD flowers or integrated into processed products such as gummies, oils or e-liquid.
Synthetic cannabinoids, designed by chemists and sometimes undetectable
Created in the laboratory, synthetic cannabinoids mimic the psychoactive effects of THC, which is legal in several countries but prohibited in France, where its content in products must not exceed 0.3%. “When an emergency room doctor called me to tell me about a case of CBD poisoning, I told him it was impossible,” recalls Joëlle Micallef, president of the French addictovigilance network in Marseille.
The pharmacologist has received nearly a hundred reports since March 2024. "A growing dynamic, knowing that only about 1% of cases are reported to us," she emphasizes. "These substances are manufactured within the European Union, in Spain, the Netherlands, etc., from chemical precursors imported from China or India," explains Corinne Cléostrate, director of customs services.
A game of cat and mouse with the traffickers, who seek to “interfering in distribution networks with a legal appearance”, she adds. In June 2023, following dozens of cases of poisoning, the ANSM classified a synthetic derivative of THC, HHC, as a narcotic. Immediately, a substitute, 10-OH, appeared.
Cheaper and easier to produce than cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids are designed by chemists "to circumvent the classification of narcotics", adds Ms. Cleostrate, and are sometimes undetectable.
Read alsoCannabis and medications: the potentially dangerous effects of CBD
Legal uncertainty
EDMB-4en-PINACA was first analyzed in May on a CBD flower at the customs laboratory near Paris. This molecule, with its powerful psychoactive effects, is presented as the synthetic cannabinoid "most used by criminal organizations", according to the customs department.
Faced with its toxicity, the Union of CBD Professionals (UpCBD) is issuing an alert to its members. "We sent more than 1,000 tests to almost every store in France," explains to AFP Paul MacLean, president of UpCBD, which promotes the "well-being and relaxation"According to him, synthetic cannabinoids are bad for business.
The legal uncertainty surrounding the regulation of CBD products is fueling confusion, according to industry professionals interviewed by AFP. For example, due to the lack of European assessment, foods containing CBD are being sold in France, even though they are prohibited because they have not obtained prior authorization.
"Many professionals are a little lost and do not know themselves what is legal or illegal," says Paul MacLean. He argues for breaking out of the in-between situation by banning “any process conferring psychotropic effects on the cannabis flower” Or "by regulating the legalization of cannabis."
“If we legalize THC tomorrow, all these synthetic molecules will disappear.”, believes Mr. MacLean. Currently, there is no shortage of wholesalers and CBD sellers mostly source their supplies from abroad, where regulations differ.
Read alsoCBD, THC: What do we know about the benefits of therapeutic cannabis?
In a Parisian store, "Delta 7" brownies are made in the United States, where cannabis is legal in several states. Other products are marketed as "HE" for "High Effect." Nicolas Durand never knew what he had smoked. The composition of the "Super Lemon Exotic CBD Flower" was not specified on the back of the package.
In 2022, 10% of French adults reported having consumed CBD, according to Public Health France.
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