China first to prohibit Synthetic cannabinoids

China announced on Tuesday that it would add all synthetic cannabinoids to its list of prohibited substances, a world first, in order to combat their production, trafficking, and violence.

It's the second time Chinese authorities have placed a class-wide ban on a product, following the control of fentanyl-related products in 2019.

Synthetic cannabinoids are chemicals produced by humans that function on the same brain receptors as marijuana's main active ingredient. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they can be harmful and cause "significant side effects that are very different from those of marijuana."

The US says China is a major source of synthetic drugs which are then exported to consumers in the US.

Chinese authorities also announced the prohibition of 18 additional psychoactive drugs. The changes will go into effect on 1st July.

As of the end of 2020, 1,047 different forms of new psychoactive drugs had been discovered, with around 450 of them discovered in the last five years, according to authorities.

Officials said that between 2018 and 2020, about 300 cases of "Natasha" synthetic cannabinoids were discovered in Xinjiang, and more than 300 cases of fluroroketamine were discovered in Guangxi's southern region.

According to officials, Shandong drug authorities discovered large-scale synthetic cannabinoid production and trafficking involving 13 provinces and over 40 cities last year. They said they confiscated 360 kilogrammes (790 pounds) of synthetic cannabinoids.

"The issue of new psychoactive drugs has been fierce, posing serious challenges to all countries and the world's drug control efforts. China is also confronted with a new situation, a new issue, and a new challenge "At a press conference, Deng Ming, deputy director of the National Narcotics Control Commission, said.

While the ban did not define fines, China routinely executes drug offenders.