'Spice' Use Motivations, Experiences, and Repercussions among Veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
John M StognerJulie Marie BaldwinAmelia WierciochPublished in: Substance use & misuse (2024)
SCs were explicitly disliked both independently and relative to marijuana. Nine discussed avoiding positive military drug screens as a consideration, but negative initial experiences generally prevented progression to habitual use. Veterans did not view SCs as a suitable marijuana replacement. Fears that SCs are being used as a marijuana alternative among veterans subject to frequent drug testing appear unfounded. These interviews suggest that routine military drug testing did not motivate individuals to use SCs habitually as a marijuana replacement; however, veterans' negative interpretation of SC effects contributed to this outcome.