What is AMB-FUBINACA?

ADB-FUBINACA (methyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3-methylbutanoate), is a
synthetic cannabinoid, commonly known as “K2”, “spice”, “kronic” or “fake weed”. It was first synthesized by
Pfizer in 2009, along with numerous other related compounds. It is also known as FUB-AMB and MMBFUBINACA. Other related synthetic cannabinoids in the Fubinaca family include AB-FUBINACA, ADBFUBINACA, AB-PINACA, ADB-PINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA, APINACA, ADB-CHMINACA, MDMB-CHMIINACA, and
many others. These cannabinoids usually have similar parent chains that make up their chemical structure.

It has also been sold in pill form and as a liquid than can be smoked in vaporizer pens
and e-cigarettes. ADB-FUBINACA and related compounds, act as an agonist on the cannabinoid receptors in
the central nervous system. Both THC and synthetic cannabinoids stimulate CB-1 receptors; however, most
synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists and THC is only a partial agonist, making synthetic cannabis much
stronger than botanical marijuana. Potential side effects of these synthetic cannabinoids include decreased
body temperature, decreased or irregular heart rate, agitation, drowsiness, unresponsiveness,
lightheadedness, and other neurological, cardiovascular, and renal complications.

What is it used for?

Pfizer was working on developing a synthetic cannabinoid to treat pain in cancer patients, as synthetic
cannabinoids may be more likely to ease pain without the effects of THC (i.e., producing a high in the user).
During the clinical trials, Pfizer discontinued their research into properties of the drug. Currently, there are no
approved medical uses in humans for ADB-FUBINACA or its related compounds.

Why is it dangerous?

The US National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) released 2016 data from the Drug Enforcement Agency
ADB-FUBINACA accounted for the majority (almost 23%) of those identifications. By spring 2017, ADB-FUBINACA
accounted for 51% of all synthetic cannabinoids identified. There is now evidence that more than 240
different synthetic cannabinoids exist.
Synthetic cannabinoids are the most rapidly growing class of designer recreational drugs. With this rise in new
cannabinoids, users may be unaware of what they are consuming.

Declared ingredients and potency of these
products are usually inaccurate or false and additional ingredients like caffeine, nicotine, vitamin E, and
AMB-FUBINACA is anywhere from 30 to 500
times more potent than THC and 50 times as potent as older variations of synthetic marijuana, like JWH-18.
Inconsistency among ingredients between products creates wide variation in the strength and side effects
synthetic cannabinoids. Side effects associated with long-term use or large doses include psychosis, delirium,
cardiotoxicity, seizures, hypothermia and death