JWH-146 (1-heptyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1-naphthalenyl-methanone) is a
synthetic cannabinoid from the naphthoylpyrrole family which acts as an agonist of the
CB1 (Ki = 21 ± 2nM) and
CB2 (Ki = 62 ± 5nM) receptors, with a moderate (~2.9x) selectivity for the CB1 receptor over the CB2 receptor. JWH-146 was first synthesized in 2006 by
John W. Huffman and colleagues to examine the nature of ligand binding to the
CB1 receptor.[1]
Legality
In the United States JWH-146 is not federally scheduled, although some states have passed legislation banning the sale, possession, and manufacture of JWH-146.[2][3][4][5]
In the United Kingdom, JWH-146 and other naphthoylpyrrole-based cannabinoids are considered Class B drugs under the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.[citation needed]