Research and analysis

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists

This report provides an updated harms assessment to the ACMD's previous reports on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists.

• From: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
• Published: 28 October 2020
• Last updated: 6 December 2022 — See all updates

Documents

Government and devolved nations responses to the ACMD report (accessible)

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Government and devolved nations responses to the ACMD report

PDF, 256 KB, 14 pages

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Cover letter from ACMD on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) report (accessible version)

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Cover letter from ACMD on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) report

PDF, 183 KB, 6 pages

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ACMD synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) final report

PDF, 726 KB, 65 pages

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Details

In February 2019, the then-Home Secretary commissioned the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to provide:

• an updated harms assessment to the ACMD’s previous reports on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA)
• advice on whether the current classification of these compounds under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and scheduling of these compounds under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 remains appropriate

In response, the ACMD produced this report, which includes an examination of:

• the evidence on illicit supply routes
• prevalence of use in the UK
• associated harms of SCRA use as documented internationally and in the UK

In addition to providing evidence-based advice on the appropriate classification and scheduling of SCRA, the ACMD have provided a number of supporting recommendations that aim to reduce the availability and harm of these substances through improved surveillance and enhanced drug treatment services.

Published 28 October 2020
Last updated 6 December 2022 + show all updates

1. 6 December 2022

   Added the government and devolved nations response to the ACMD report.

2. 28 October 2020

   First published.