Health officials and researchers are raising alarm over the prevalence of spice, a synthetic cannabinoid substance, being sold to children through vaping devices often marketed as containing cannabis or THC products.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bath examined 1,923 vapes confiscated from children across 114 schools in England and discovered that 13% contained spice, with significantly higher concentrations in certain regions such as London and Lancashire at 25%. When drug-testing service Wedinos analyzed 297 samples labeled as containing THC, CBD, or cannabis in the year leading up to March 2025, it found that 39% actually contained spice. Researchers estimate that 68% of products advertised on TikTok as THC vapes contained spice, compared with 12% of those marketed on Facebook.
Spice, a catch-all term encompassing over 250 different synthetic cannabinoid chemicals, produces significantly stronger effects than natural cannabis because it binds more intensely to cellular receptors. According to a 2015 Global Drugs Survey, the risk of requiring emergency medical treatment when using spice was 30 times greater than when using high-potency cannabis strains. Medical experts warn that spice can cause acute health effects including psychosis, aggression, hypertensive crises, seizures, and cardiac arrest, depending on dosage. The drug also carries substantial risks of serious accidents due to rapid onset and incapacitation of users.
Addition to spice poses particular concerns for young people, as the drug’s highly addictive nature can lead to criminal behavior, exploitation by drug dealers, and placement in dangerous situations. School administrators report difficulty distinguishing between regular nicotine vapes and those containing spice, complicating detection efforts. Health professionals note that vulnerable populations already experiencing poverty, trauma, or lack of family support face elevated risk of spice use and its consequences.
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