Information  /  Spice & synthetic cannabinoids

“Spice” is a common name for some synthetic cannabinoids. They can appear in herbal material, vape liquids or sweets, and products sold as THC, CBD or cannabis may contain something different from what the label says.

Last reviewed: 25 September 2026

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Welsh drug-testing data shows that some products sold as THC, CBD or cannabis vapes actually contain synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), often called Spice. The contents and strength can be unpredictable.

Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made chemicals that act on the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain as THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. They are not the same as cannabis, and some can be much more potent or produce very different effects.

Names change quickly. You may hear Spice, Mamba, K2, synthetic cannabis or the names of individual chemicals. Semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as HHC are a related but different group.

The effect depends on the chemical, dose and what else is present. Reported reactions include anxiety, paranoia, confusion, vomiting, rapid heart rate, chest pain, hallucinations, agitation and seizures. Some synthetic cannabinoids are more potent than cannabis, making dose and effect harder to predict.

There is also a basic problem with illicit products: the person using them may not know what substance they have taken.

Public Health Wales reported that, among THC, CBD or cannabinoid vape samples submitted to WEDINOS in 2025–26, 43% contained synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. This figure describes the samples sent to WEDINOS; it should not be read as the percentage of all vapes in Wales.

The message for schools and families is simpler: an illicit vape may contain something different from what the person thought they were buying.

• Prioritise the young person’s health. If someone is unwell, get medical help rather than waiting to identify the product.
• Do not assume a “THC”, “CBD” or cannabis label is accurate.
• Follow your school or organisation’s safeguarding and substance procedures for confiscated products and incidents.
• Do not taste, inhale or informally test a product. Staff and pupils should not investigate substances themselves.
• Record useful information safely such as what the product was called, packaging, where it came from and what symptoms were seen.
• Use the incident as a learning opportunity. Young people need to understand that an illicit vape can contain an unexpected drug, not just that “vaping is bad”.

If someone collapses, has a seizure, is struggling to breathe, is severely confused or agitated, or you are seriously worried after drug use, call 999. Tell the ambulance crew everything you know about what may have been taken.