Synthetic cannabinoids got their name because they act on the same brain cell receptors as tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main active ingredient in cannabis. A number of these chemicals were first developed by scientists for their medical properties to investigate whether synthetic cannabinoids could be used in treating certain diseases, such as pain disorders and cancer. However, they first appeared as recreational drugs in Europe in 2006.
Synthetic cannabinoids are classified as new psychoactive substances. In 2018, Malta added the term ‘new psychoactive substances’ with the definition of illicit drugs.
Manufacturers of synthetic cannabinoids are very adaptable as they alter the substances they use when one chemical is about to be legally controlled. The flexibility of this market makes detecting, monitoring and responding to synthetic cannabinoids particularly challenging.