Synthetic cannabinoid: “Synthetic cannabinoid” can mean more than one thing. In formal medical guidance, it can include lab-made compounds identical in structure to naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as dronabinol. In public discussion, it can also refer to dangerous illicit compounds such as “Spice”, which are not the same as licensed medicines.
Patients often confuse these very different categories.
NICE includes synthetic compounds identical to naturally occurring cannabinoids in its scope, but that is not the same as illicit synthetic products.
The distinction is safety-critical.