Synthetic cannabis: adverse events reported to the New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre.

This study found that young, male and European populations frequently were involved in SCRA adverse events. A disproportionate number of Māori were present in this group. Psychiatric reactions were of clinical significance, and possibly correlated to the high potency and efficacy of SCRA compared to cannabis. Pharmacovigilance is a useful tool to measure and monitor illicit drug use, and with appropriate infrastructure and capacity has the potential to contribute to drug policy at a national level.