1. It doesn't contain synthetic THC. It contains a synthetic cannabinoid structurally unrelated to THC.
2. Only one of the suspected cannabinoids (which may or may not even be in it) is actually illegal.
3. Its sales are still up even within the US, so I think we're good.
Actually, CP 47,497 (or more specifically, the 1,1-dimethyloctyl homologue of it) was announced to be the main ingredient in Spice by the University of Freiburg in Germany that performed a chemical analysis on it. I think they were referring to the standard Spice/Spice Silver. Other products are said to contain the cannabinoids in different proportions, some newer products are indeed said to include JWH-018 as their main active ingredient. I remember seeing more detailed results of the German analysis somewhere, but am too lazy to look it up at the moment.
You are correct about your second point. The only report so far regarding Spice products containing HU-210 came from DEA, and these results have not been confirmed by an independent party yet. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if it turned out just to be yet another hoax to provide a convenient opportunity for the DEA to jump on yet another (so far) legal high. Look, it contains an illegal drug, it is therefore also illegal! 8)
/rant
Anyway, I noticed that there has not been a mention of specific Spice products (Gold, Diamond, Tropical Synergy, Arctic Synergy, etc) in this thread, does this mean that you guys are speaking of the original Spice (ie Spice Silver)? Because from what I understand, the effects can vary greatly from one product to another (mainly due to different compositions of cannabinoids within the products). Then again, I have heard rumors that even same products can have different cannabinoid compositions between batches, as if the makers of Spice would simply use what chemials they have in stock at the moment to infuse the herbs with, and essentially there would be no actual difference between different products other than packaging and herb content, although personally I will remain skeptical about this theory until I've seen some proof.
There is some discussion regarding how different Spice products compare to one another in BDD,
in this thread. I have also written up some thoughts on my initial experience with Spice, more specifically with the Arctic Synergy variety, in that thread, in case anyone's interested.