I was with a friend of mine today at a smokeshop, buying coals for the hookah, and a item behind the counter made me curious, I asked the employee if I could see it. It was in silver packaging with some colorful graphic on the front and it said it was a "herbal incense" I asked him what that was, he said "Oh it just smells good" so I went over to my friend and asked him what he thinks, he said he heard of this stuff before and it contained nothing illegal but it gives you a high similar to marijuana.
Well how is that possible? Don't drug tests detect THC? Why wouldn't it show up on a drug test, and how is it legal but its something that makes you high? Its called "forty-two degrees" and another type is called "spice". I am just wondering why this isn't a bigger deal to law enforcement? I could have bought it right in the store there, which I find weird considering marijuana is illegal to have.
Anyways, just something I was curious about. Thank you!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
To answer your question THC (the active ingredient found in marijuana) is a cannabinoid and most herbal incense contains one or more synthetic cannabinoid compounds usually in the JWH family. It is legal because most of the chemicals in the JWH family are not currently illegal compounds and the incense itself is not actually sold for human consumption. The DEA has moved to use their power to temporarily ban some of these compounds for a term of one year in which time they are trying their best to prove that it is a "Danger to Public Safety" or whatever, but right now it is still only temporary. It won't trigger a drug test because these synthetics are not actually THC and will not show up as such on a drug test. Their are some tests for a few of these compounds but unlikie marijuana that has up to a three month detection time these chemicals only stay in your system for up to 72 hours. The government is currently trying their best to make it illegal though however this is mostly on a state-by-state basis at this time.
If your interested in looking up a little more info on this yourself check out The Retail Compliance Association ( http://www.therca.org/ ), The Coalition for Cognitive Liberty and Drug Reform Policy ( http://www.coglib.org/ ), and the Research Chemical Super Store ( http://www.researchchemicalsuperstore.com/ ).