Surreal illustration of synthetic drugs in Norway

Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Teen's Death and the Unintended Consequences of Drug Policy

Mira Elwood in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"How Norwegian cannabis policy indirectly led to a tragic death and highlighted the dangers of synthetic alternatives."

In 2015, Egil André Kvelstad Myhre, a 22-year-old Norwegian, tragically passed away from cardiac arrest after experimenting with synthetic cannabinoids. This event, initially reported as an isolated incident, exposed a darker side of drug policy and its unintended consequences.

Myhre, described by his family as someone with no prior drug use, attended a party where he was introduced to a synthetic cannabinoid. The forensic report identified the substance as MBDB, closely related to MDMA. While others at the party also experimented, Myhre's reaction was uniquely fatal.

The case became the first registered fatality in Norway linked to synthetic cannabinoids. National newspapers covered the story as a warning about the dangers of these new and unstable drugs, quoting doctors, police, and health officials who cautioned the public. However, crucial details emerged that painted a more complex picture, revealing the hidden link between drug policy and this tragic outcome.

The Dealer's Story: Apology and a Call for Legalization

Surreal illustration of synthetic drugs in Norway

A local newspaper, "Trønder-avisa," interviewed the dealer, named "Ørjan," who sold the drug to Myhre's acquaintance. Ørjan claimed to have been selling synthetic drugs for years, with sales volume inversely related to the availability of organic cannabis. He sourced the drugs online, crossing the border to Sweden to pick them up.

Ørjan expressed remorse and a desire to apologize to Myhre's family. He also aimed to spark a debate about cannabis legalization, believing it could prevent similar tragedies. He stated he would never have shared MBDB with an inexperienced user.

Desire to apologize to Myhre's family.
Hopes to ignite debate on cannabis legalization.
Claims he wouldn't share drug with inexperienced users.

Ørjan's motive for acquiring the drug was to circumvent legal issues. Previously arrested, he was participating in "Ungdomskontrakt," a program offering alternative punishment for young offenders, involving regular urine sampling. To avoid detection of cannabis use, Ørjan switched to synthetic cannabinoids, inadvertently setting the stage for Myhre's fatal encounter.

A Preventable Tragedy?

Myhre's death highlights the unintended consequences of strict cannabis policies. The pursuit of alternatives like synthetic cannabinoids, driven by the need to circumvent drug testing, can lead to devastating outcomes. As long as cannabis remains illegal, the allure of unregulated and potentially lethal synthetic alternatives will persist, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. The tragic loss of Egil André Kvelstad Myhre serves as a stark reminder of the need for evidence-based drug policies that prioritize harm reduction and public health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/2050324518798439, Alternate LINK

Title: The Case Of The Norwegian Teen Who Died From Synthetic Cannabinoids

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Drug Science, Policy and Law

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Jon F Olsen

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are synthetic cannabinoids, and what dangers do they pose compared to organic cannabis?

Synthetic cannabinoids, like the MBDB involved in Egil André Kvelstad Myhre's death, are unregulated substances designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. Unlike organic cannabis, their composition is often unknown and unstable, leading to unpredictable and potentially fatal reactions. The key danger is the variability in potency and chemical makeup, making them far riskier than natural cannabis. Since they are designed to circumvent drug tests, they often contain chemicals that have not been thoroughly tested for safety.

How did Norway's cannabis policy indirectly contribute to the death of Egil André Kvelstad Myhre?

Norway's strict cannabis policies led individuals like 'Ørjan,' the dealer in this case, to seek alternatives to avoid detection. 'Ørjan' was participating in 'Ungdomskontrakt,' a program with regular urine sampling. To circumvent this, he switched to synthetic cannabinoids, like MBDB, which are not detectable in standard cannabis drug tests. This ultimately led to Myhre's exposure to a dangerous substance, resulting in his tragic death. The policy inadvertently encouraged the use of more dangerous alternatives.

Who was 'Ørjan', and what role did he play in the events leading to Egil André Kvelstad Myhre's death?

'Ørjan' was the dealer who supplied the synthetic cannabinoid, MBDB, that Egil André Kvelstad Myhre consumed. He had been selling synthetic drugs as an alternative to cannabis due to its illegal status and his participation in the 'Ungdomskontrakt' program. He expressed remorse and hoped Myhre's death would spark a debate on cannabis legalization to prevent similar incidents. 'Ørjan' claimed he would not have given MBDB to an inexperienced user like Myhre.

What is 'Ungdomskontrakt,' and why did it influence 'Ørjan's' decision to sell synthetic cannabinoids?

'Ungdomskontrakt' is a Norwegian program offering alternative punishment for young offenders, which includes regular urine sampling. 'Ørjan' was enrolled in this program and, to avoid detection of cannabis use, he switched to selling and using synthetic cannabinoids like MBDB. This decision was directly influenced by the need to circumvent the drug testing requirements of 'Ungdomskontrakt', inadvertently creating a pathway for Egil André Kvelstad Myhre's fatal encounter with a synthetic substance.

What implications does Egil André Kvelstad Myhre's death have for drug policy and harm reduction strategies?

Egil André Kvelstad Myhre's death underscores the unintended consequences of strict cannabis prohibition. It highlights that when cannabis is illegal, individuals may turn to more dangerous, unregulated alternatives like synthetic cannabinoids, leading to potentially fatal outcomes. This tragic event emphasizes the need for evidence-based drug policies that prioritize harm reduction, including exploring options like cannabis legalization or regulation to reduce the allure and availability of synthetic alternatives and providing education about the risks associated with these substances.