PTC: Synthetic cannabinoids continue to cause severe poisonings in France

Paris – 21 July 2026: Products circulating under the name PTC remain a serious health risk. A recent analysis by the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictive Behaviours points to e-liquids sold in the Ile-de-France region as PTC, Spleen or Buddha Blue that may contain synthetic cannabinoids. The substances mimic the effects of cannabis, but are chemically not comparable to natural cannabis.

PTC is a colloquial sales label, not an unambiguous name for a substance. This is precisely what makes it so dangerous: composition, concentration and possible additives can vary considerably from one product to another. Users therefore often do not know which substances they are inhaling. The products are mainly offered as liquids for e-cigarettes, but can also be applied to herbal mixtures or sold as powder.

The responsible information service, Drogues Info Service, warns that synthetic cannabinoids may be stronger, riskier and more addictive than natural cannabis. Possible acute consequences include anxiety, severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting and seizures. Cardiovascular symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest pain or a drop in blood pressure have also been reported. In particularly severe cases, impaired consciousness up to and including coma can occur.

The health situation is further complicated by the fact that standard rapid drug tests often do not detect these substances. The absence of a positive standard test therefore does not rule out poisoning by synthetic cannabinoids. Experts also stress that some products are sold under names suggesting a connection to CBD or cannabis, even though their actual composition may differ significantly.

The OFDT’s regional trend analysis, published on 15 July, explicitly mentions PTC in connection with e-liquids and synthetic cannabinoids. Toxicological investigations had already linked acute poisonings in Ile-de-France to such products. The monitoring centre relies in part on the SINTES system, which chemically analyses psychoactive products and documents developments on the illegal market.

If discomfort occurs after consuming an unknown e-liquid or other suspected synthetic cannabinoids, medical assistance should be sought immediately. In particular, France’s emergency number 15 or 112 should be called in cases of impaired consciousness, seizures, breathing problems, severe pain or pronounced confusion. Affected individuals should not be left alone and should not consume any further substances, including alcohol.

The latest findings underline that PTC does not refer to a controlled product or one that can be reliably dosed. For prevention services, parents, schools and medical providers, it is crucial not to classify these products as a harmless variant of cannabis or as ordinary vape liquid. The risks arise precisely from the unknown chemical composition, potentially high potency and rapid absorption through inhalation.