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Impaired Driving Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5f-Adb
K R McCain1, J O Jones2, K T Chilbert3
1Department of Pharmacy Practice College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Journal of Forensic Science & Criminology
|April 9, 2019
Summary
Synthetic marijuana, or K2/Spice, can significantly impair driving even at low doses. This case report confirms 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB) intoxication led to erratic driving, highlighting risks of designer cannabinoids.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) like 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB) are potent and cause severe toxicity.
- Driving impairment due to SCs is a growing public health concern.
- Previous research indicates SCs are more potent than Δ9-THC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of driving impairment linked to 5F-ADB.
- To confirm the presence of 5F-ADB and its metabolite in a driver's blood.
- To demonstrate the impairing effects of designer synthetic cannabinoids at low concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for cigarette analysis.
- Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for blood sample analysis.
- Roadside evaluation by law enforcement.
Main Results:
- 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB) was identified in the analyzed cigarettes.
- The 5F-ADB metabolite 7 was detected at 26.37 ng/mL in the driver's blood.
- No other illicit substances were found in the driver's blood sample.
Conclusions:
- Designer synthetic cannabinoids, such as 5F-ADB (K2/Spice), can significantly impair driving ability.
- This case provides conclusive evidence of 5F-ADB-induced driving impairment.
- Forensic analysis confirmed 5F-ADB as the sole intoxicant at relatively low concentrations.
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