synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids refer to a class of man-made molecules that are chemically similar to molecules that appear naturally in cannabis plants. Synthetic cannabinoids are intended to bind the same receptors in the brain as naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD).

Synthetic cannabinoids are often produced illicitly, resulting in little or no oversight on the safety of the drugs. Some efforts have been made to regulate synthetic cannabinoids due to concerns over the harm that can occur from the lack of existing regulations. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are “currently no standards for making, packaging, or selling synthetic cannabinoid chemicals. That means that two packets of a brand-named product may have completely different chemicals.” Synthetic cannabinoids are often more potent than their naturally occurring counterparts and can vary wildly in potency even in the same batch. Synthetic cannabinoids often label themselves as “not for human consumption” to avoid regulatory scrutiny, but are intended for consumption by the manufacturer.

[Last reviewed in April of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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