AB-FUBINACA


AB-FUBINACA is a drug that acts as a potent agonist for the cannabinoid receptors, with Ki values of 0.9 nM at CB1 and 23.2 nM at CB2 and EC50 values of 1.8 nM at CB1 and 3.2 nM at CB2. It was originally developed by Pfizer in 2009 as an analgesic medication but was never pursued for human use. In 2012, it was discovered as an ingredient in synthetic cannabinoid blends in Japan, along with a related compound AB-PINACA, which had not previously been reported.
Its use has been linked to hospitalizations and deaths.

Legality

It was designated as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States in January 2014.
It is an Anlage II controlled substance in Germany as of November 2014.
It is a controlled substance in China as of October 2015.
In December of 2019, the UNODC announced scheduling recommendations placing AB-FUBINACA into Schedule II.

Mass overdoses

On August 15th, 2018, 70 people within the city of New Haven, Connecticut started overdosing near Yale University campus. By the end of the week, the total number of overdosed had risen to over 100 people needing transport to local emergency rooms. Three men were arrested, charged as drug dealers selling synthetic cannabis which contained AB-FUBINACA. Almost all of the overdoses occurred on the New Haven Green, a large downtown park that is heavily traveled and very popular with the homeless population. There have been no deaths associated with these overdoses; however, several victims are in critical or life-threatening condition.
During a similar period, AB-FUBINACA was implicated in the hospitalization of hundreds of people in two cities in New Zealand; Napier and Christchurch. There were over forty deaths in New Zealand as a result of synthetic cannabinoids in 2018, and dozens of people are still in intensive care. The New Zealand Drug Foundation has issued a national emergency as a result.