AMB-FUBINACA (ADB-FUBINACA)
Definition
A third-wave synthetic cannabinoid of the fluorobenzyl indazole carboxamide scaffold identified in the 2016 New York mass-poisoning event; associated with intense, prolonged CB1 receptor activation and serious adverse effects.
- Chemical class
- Synthetic cannabinoid
- Structural scaffold
- Fluorobenzyl indazole carboxamide
- Notable event
- 2016 New York mass-poisoning incident
- Receptor target
- CB1 agonist
Common questions
Why did this compound cause such severe, prolonged effects compared with THC?+
It binds the CB1 receptor with much greater affinity and efficacy than THC and produces sustained receptor activation, which is why users in the 2016 incident presented with an unusually intense, zombie-like sedation lasting far longer than typical cannabis intoxication.
How is this substance identified analytically given it is not a natural cannabis compound?+
Because it does not resemble THC structurally, standard cannabinoid immunoassays often miss it, so confirmation relies on LC-MS/MS or GC-MS comparison against a reference standard for the specific indazole carboxamide analog involved.
Related terms
- Δ9-THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, formed by decarboxylation of THCA. Molecular formula C21H30O2, MW 314.46 g/mol. The 0.3% dry-weight threshold under...
- CBD (Cannabidiol)
- A non-psychoactive cannabinoid and regioisomer of THC with the same molecular formula but a different double bond position. Dominant in hemp varieties....
- CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid)
- The universal biosynthetic precursor to the major cannabinoids. Formed in cannabis trichomes by condensation of geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid; converted to...
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- An oxidation product of THC that accumulates as cannabis ages. High CBN:THC ratio is a qualitative marker of old or degraded cannabis...
- Charas
- Under the NDPS Act 1985, the separated resin from cannabis including concentrated preparations and hashish; distinct from ganja (flowering tops) and from...
- Duquenois-Levine Test
- A three-reagent presumptive test for cannabinoids: vanillin + acetaldehyde in ethanol (Reagent 1), concentrated hydrochloric acid (Reagent 2), and chloroform partition (Reagent...
- HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)
- A hydrogenated form of THC produced by catalytic reduction of the 9-10 double bond, existing as (9R)-HHC (active) and (9S)-HHC (less active)...
- JWH-018
- 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; the prototypical first-wave synthetic cannabinoid developed by John W. Huffman at Clemson University and identified in K2/Spice products from 2008. Scheduled...
- Total THC Calculation
- The formula (THCA x 0.877) + Δ9-THC that converts the THCA fraction to its decarboxylated THC equivalent, required by USDA ASTM methods...