Synthetic cannabinoid identification in cases associated with blue lotus and valerian root vaping products

Synthetic cannabinoids emerged in the early 21st century and have continued to evolve and flourish to present day. Like other novel psychoactive substances (NPS), synthetic cannabinoids have been sold under the guise of legitimate products. Some examples include "potpourri," "incense," and herbal material. Between May 2020 and December 2023, the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Drug Chemistry Division (USACIL) received 29 seized drug cases mentioning "blue lotus" or "valerian root." In 90% of these cases, at least one exhibit contained one or more synthetic cannabinoids. During the same timeframe, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Division of Forensic Toxicology received 65 toxicology cases that contained synthetic cannabinoids and/or their corresponding metabolites where case history mentioned "blue lotus." The most frequently observed synthetic cannabinoids between laboratories were 5F-MDMB-PICA, ADB-BUTINACA, and MDMB-4en-PINACA. Innocuous branding and marketing may deceive law enforcement, investigators, and healthcare providers into believing that the adverse effects of erratic behavior, sedation, slurred speech, and hallucinations are a result of toxicity from botanical extracts (e.g. apomorphine and nuciferine in blue lotus). Due to the dangerous nature of these NPS, synthetic cannabinoid screening is recommended for all cases where there is suspected use of vaping products suggested to contain "blue lotus" or "valerian root" as vendors continue to conceal the presence of these compounds.