Throughout the galaxy, Spice designated a variety of prohibited materials, all highly sought after. Kessel's spice mines served as the primary source of spice, where slaves, including captured Wookiees, were forced to toil until death, transforming medicinal spice minerals into recreational drugs through mining. Other planetary systems also housed spice mines, notably Ryloth and Naboo. On Ryloth, the planet, ryll, a specific type of narcotic, was extracted and used for both scientific studies and enjoyment. A specific type of spice, known as Sansanna spice, was distributed throughout the galaxy.
Reath Silas, a Padawan, once commented that Captain Leox Gyasi's manner of speaking resembled that of Grand Master Yoda if he were under the influence of spice. The Pyke Syndicate utilized raw spice to synthesize a potent drug, prompting Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum to dispatch Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas to conduct an investigation.
In 22 BBY, initial suspicions surrounding an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala pointed towards disgruntled spice miners stationed on the moons of Naboo. However, it was later revealed that Count Dooku, the leader of the Separatists, had commissioned the assassin. Naboo's laws concerning spice were shaped by its recreational use for intoxication, rather than its potential for pain relief. Kharl of the Torada Collective relied on medical-grade spice to manage a persistent medical condition, necessitating travel from Naboo to Nooroyo, another spice-producing planet.
As the Clone Wars began, Naboo aligned itself with the Republic, while Nooroyo came under Separatist control. The planet's spice production was expected to draw the attention of warring factions and criminals, disrupting daily life. However, before any conflict could break out on Nooroyo, Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker and Amidala journeyed to Nooroyo to save five members of the Torada Collective who remained on the planet, but only Antraya chose to leave. The Ohnaka Gang captured Count Dooku and demanded one million credits worth of spice, to be delivered via an unarmed diplomatic ship, in exchange for him being handed over to the Jedi. After Obi-Wan Kenobi and Skywalker were taken prisoner during a meeting intended to confirm Dooku's capture by the pirates, Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan, and Senator Kharrus were dispatched with the demanded spice, though it became unnecessary as Dooku had already escaped by the time they arrived.
In 20 BBY, Hondo Ohnaka, a pirate, supplied missile launchers to the rebels of Onderon after receiving payment from Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Upon meeting the leader Steela Gerrera, he attempted to flirt with her, remarking that she could become his new favorite spice. Gerrera rejected his advances.
Delian Mors, an Imperial Moff, was known to use spice, and Colonel Belkor Dray observed that she maintained functionality despite its effects.
Baz, an Ensign, was known to use spice and was therefore relieved of his duties on the Carrion Spike by Moff Tarkin during a journey to Coruscant shortly after an attack on Sentinel Base.
Ghadi, an Imperial Moff, employed a spice variant called polstine spice to blackmail Arihnda Pryce, who was then an aide to Domus Renking, the Senator of Lothal. He described the spice as "highly prized, highly expensive, and highly illegal," suggesting that even a trace amount on one's clothes could result in a life sentence in prison.
Scarn, a pre-spice substance, was the focus of a land dispute between the native Cyphari of the Afe clan, led by Chief Joko, and the human colonists, led by Mayor Pord Benchel. This dispute was orchestrated by human colonists Clay Tanoo, Lenora Scath, Brigte Polcery, and Nightswan, a mercenary, in order to gain access to a substantial scarn deposit beneath the Afe Clan's land. Commander Thrawn and Ensign Eli Vanto quickly uncovered this scheme, swiftly resolving the land dispute by incinerating the scarn vein with assistance from Lieutenant Gimm, a TIE fighter pilot, and Lieutenant Commander Osgoode.
Luke Skywalker was raised with the understanding that his father, Anakin, worked as a navigator aboard a spice freighter. Han Solo incurred a debt with Jabba the Hutt after abandoning a spice shipment to evade Imperial detection. When Imperial forces boarded the Tantive IV, C-3PO feared that he and R2-D2 would be condemned to the spice mines of Kessel.
In 9 ABY, Mok Shaiz, the mayor of Mos Espa pledged the late Jabba the Hutt's territory on Tatooine to the Pyke Syndicate. The Pykes intended to use the planet to expand their spice dealing operations. However, Boba Fett, the former bounty hunter who had assumed control of Jabba's criminal empire, learned of the mayor's arrangement and began preparations for war with the Pykes. Following a fierce battle in Mos Espa between Fett's forces and the Pyke Syndicate, the Pykes suffered such heavy losses that they abandoned their plans to incorporate Tatooine into their territory, thus freeing the world from the spice trade.
It has been suggested that Frank Herbert's influential science fiction novel Dune from 1965 profoundly influenced Star Wars. In the Duniverse, the substance known as "the spice" Melange is of central importance. The first mention of spice in the original Star Wars occurs when C-3PO expresses his worry to R2-D2 that "We'll be sent to the Spice Mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what!"
Spice was mentioned in the prequel trilogy movie Attack of the Clones.
A spice payment played a significant role in the plot of two episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Until "The Lost One" episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the precise nature of spice remained ambiguous in canon, when it was identified as an ingredient in a dangerous drug.
Reference materials for Star Wars Rebels clearly indicate that it is a dangerous drug. Numerous stories from the Expanded Universe continuity, later renamed Star Wars Legends, provided specifics regarding the spice trade and described it as a collection of various mind-altering substances, including ryll and glitterstim.
The spice smokers featured in the Obi-Wan Kenobi television show were designed in a similar style and shape to Jabba the Hutt's hookah pipe, and were similarly embellished with gold. Brad Elliott, the propmaster, explained that the concept involved a pressurized canister that released the spice when a button was activated. Props were also created for the spice sticks seen in the series.