Cannabimimetics, i.e. compounds with activity at the cannabinoid receptors, are an emerging class of ‘designer drugs’. It is not feasible to routinely detect these compounds in biological matrices using classical analytical techniques. We therefore wish to develop a bioassay (based on cell lines) that can score the activity of these compounds. The test that we will develop will be used for pharmacological profiling and for testing biological samples for the presence of cannabinoid activity.