Editing Cannabinoid (section)

== Synthetic cannabinoids ==
{{anchor|Synthetic_and_patented_cannabinoids}}
{{Main|Synthetic cannabinoid}}
Historically, laboratory synthesis of cannabinoids was often based on the structure of herbal cannabinoids, and a large number of analogs have been produced and tested, especially in a group led by [[Roger Adams]] as early as 1941 and later in a group led by [[Raphael Mechoulam]].<ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Mechoulam R, Lander N, Breuer A, Zahalka J |date=1990|title=Synthesis of the individual, pharmacologically distinct, enantiomers of a tetrahydrocannabinol derivative|journal=Tetrahedron: Asymmetry|volume=1|issue=5|pages=315–318|doi=10.1016/S0957-4166(00)86322-3}}</ref> Newer compounds are no longer related to natural cannabinoids or are based on the structure of the endogenous cannabinoids.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Elsohly MA, Gul W, Wanas AS, Radwan MM | title = Synthetic cannabinoids: analysis and metabolites | journal = Life Sciences | volume = 97 | issue = 1 | pages = 78–90 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 24412391 | doi = 10.1016/j.lfs.2013.12.212 | series = Special Issue: Emerging Trends in the Abuse of Designer Drugs and Their Catastrophic Health Effects: Update on Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Addiction Potential }}</ref>

Synthetic cannabinoids are particularly useful in experiments to determine the relationship between the structure and activity of cannabinoid compounds, by making systematic, incremental modifications of cannabinoid molecules.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lauritsen KJ, Rosenberg H | title = Comparison of outcome expectancies for synthetic cannabinoids and botanical marijuana | journal = The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse | volume = 42 | issue = 4 | pages = 377–384 | date = July 2016 | pmid = 26910181 | doi = 10.3109/00952990.2015.1135158 | s2cid = 4389339 }}</ref>

When synthetic cannabinoids are used recreationally, they present significant health dangers to users.<ref name=DCES>{{cite web | url = http://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/news/upload/3-factor%20analysis%20AB-CHMINACA%20AB-PINACA%20THJ2201%2012172014.pdf | title = N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide(AB-CHMINACA), N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PINACA)and[1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl](naphthalen-1-yl)methanone(THJ-2201) | publisher = Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Office of Diversion Control, [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] | date = December 2014 | journal = | access-date = 2015-01-09 | archive-date = 2018-09-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180927020404/https://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/news/upload/3-factor%20analysis%20AB-CHMINACA%20AB-PINACA%20THJ2201%2012172014.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>  In the period of 2012 through 2014, over 10,000 contacts to [[poison control center]]s in the United States were related to use of synthetic cannabinoids.<ref name=DCES />

Medications containing natural or synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoid analogs:
* [[Dronabinol]] (Marinol), is synthetic Δ<sup>9</sup>-[[tetrahydrocannabinol]] (THC), used as an appetite stimulant, [[antiemetic]], and [[analgesic]]
* [[Nabilone]] (Cesamet, Canemes), a synthetic cannabinoid and an analog of Marinol. It is [[Controlled Substances Act#Schedule II controlled substances|Schedule II]] unlike Marinol, which is [[Controlled Substances Act#Schedule III controlled substances|Schedule III]]
* [[Rimonabant]] (SR141716), a selective cannabinoid (CB<sub>1</sub>) receptor [[inverse agonist]] once used as an [[anti-obesity drug]] under the proprietary name Acomplia. It was also used for [[smoking cessation]]

Other notable synthetic cannabinoids include:
* [[JWH-018]], a potent synthetic [[cannabinoid agonist]] discovered by [[John W. Huffman]] at [[Clemson University]]. It was often sold in legal smoke blends collectively known as [[Spice (drug)|"spice"]]. Several countries and states have moved to ban it legally.
* [[JWH-073]]
* [[CP-55940]], produced in 1974, this synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist is many times more potent than THC.
* [[Dimethylheptylpyran]]
* [[HU-210]], about 100 times as potent as THC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marijuana.org/mydna10-12-05.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221183347/http://www.marijuana.org/mydna10-12-05.htm |archive-date=2005-12-21 |title=More medicinal uses for marijuana |publisher=Marijuana.org |date=October 18, 2005 |access-date=2014-01-15}}</ref>
* [[Dexanabinol|HU-211]], a synthetic cannabinoid derived drug that acts on NMDA instead of endocannabinoid system
* [[HU-331]] a potential anti-cancer drug derived from [[cannabidiol]] that specifically inhibits [[topoisomerase II]].
* [[SR144528]], a CB<sub>2</sub> [[receptor antagonist]]/inverse agonist<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rinaldi-Carmona M, Barth F, Millan J, Derocq JM, Casellas P, Congy C, Oustric D, Sarran M, Bouaboula M, Calandra B, Portier M, Shire D, Brelière JC, Le Fur GL | display-authors = 6 | title = SR 144528, the first potent and selective antagonist of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor | journal = The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics | volume = 284 | issue = 2 | pages = 644–650 | date = February 1998 | pmid = 9454810 }}</ref>
* [[WIN 55,212-2]], a potent cannabinoid receptor [[agonist]]
* [[JWH-133]], a potent selective CB<sub>2</sub> receptor agonist
* [[Levonantradol]] (Nantrodolum), an antiemetic and analgesic but not currently in use in medicine
* [[AM-2201]], a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist
Recently, the term ''neocannabinoid'' has been introduced to distinguish these [[New psychoactive substance|designer drugs]] from synthetic phytocannabinoids (obtained by chemical synthesis) or synthetic endocannabinoids''.<ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Riboulet-Zemouli K |date=2020|title='Cannabis' ontologies I: Conceptual issues with Cannabis and cannabinoids terminology |journal=Drug Science, Policy and Law|language=en|volume=6|pages=25–29|doi=10.1177/2050324520945797|s2cid=234435350|issn=2050-3245|ref=ont|doi-access=free}}</ref>''