From Chinese factory to UK households – realities of the trade in legal highs

Attempts to control synthetic drug trade resemble futile efforts made by record labels to control digital piracy decade ago
The Guardian (UK)
Thursday, May 9, 2013

Chemistry firms in many Chinese provinces are churning out modified versions of illegal drugs and selling them online. Everything from amphetamine-like stimulants to ecstasy-like substances as well as thousands of synthetic cannabinoids is available. The drugs – which have no history of human use – skirt the law by subtle molecular manipulation. Safety isn't a priority – profit is. (See also: Legal highs: international drugs gangs 'expanding into growing market')