EXPERTS are calling for a ban on a legal, cannabis-like substance being sold.
The rise of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC has seen an “explosion” of addiction presentations in Ireland, it has been claimed.
The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland are warning about the harms of HHC a synthetic substance similar to THC found in cannabisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Professor Bobby Smith is urging Government to take action on the synthetic cannabinoidCredit: The Irish Times
The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is urging the Government to ban the distribution and sale of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). It is a man-made, chemically modified version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis.
It is available in vapes and edibles in Ireland but is not classified as a controlled substance.
As legal loopholes allow this substance to flourish in shops and online, it poses a threat to vulnerable people, particularly adolescents who are still developing physically and psychologically.
Professor Bobby Smyth is the chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.
Writing in the Irish Sun today, the specialist calls on the Government to act swiftly and says the effects from HHC are similar to those of THC, which is illegal.
CANNABIS has become far more potent.
This has led to hugely increased incidences of psychosis and other mental illnesses, more presentations to emergency departments and addiction services, especially among young people.
It is a huge problem drug in its own right but, worryingly, the use of a synthetic, man-made form of cannabis – which emerged on to the marketplace for the first time two years ago — has also now exploded in Ireland and is now involved in roughly 20% of all presentations to adolescent addiction services.
HHC is a chemically modified version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis and produces similar effects to THC, which causes the cannabis ‘high’.
HHC is currently available in vapes and edibles in Ireland, but shockingly, it is not subject to any legal restrictions at present here as it is currently not classified as a controlled substance.
What’s even more frustrating is that the Government passed legislation nearly 15 years ago which would make HHC illegal at the stroke of a pen, but for some unknown reason it is dragging its heels and has not banned this harmful drug.
In 2010, in response to the growth in the number of ‘head shops’ in Ireland, the Government at the time passed the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010.
This Act prohibits the sale of psychoactive drugs and allows for people and businesses importing and selling these drugs to be prosecuted
However, despite increasingly mounting evidence of the harms of HHC, it has not been classified as a psychoactive drug in Ireland, meaning that it is freely available online and in shops across the country for anyone who wants it, including children as this product is subject to absolutely no restrictions.
The drugs sold in head shops caused a huge amount of damage, especially to young people. Now, we are seeing a similar trend with HHC.
It generally takes decades for the medical community to figure out long-term consequences of new substances.
For example, over the past 20 years, we have seen the strength of cannabis rise, leading to an increase in mental illness among users.
In the clinical services that I provide and support, we are seeing a parade of teenagers whose lives have been derailed by this drug, presenting with a mix of compulsive use, adverse effects of mood, episodes of unexplained collapse and also paranoid thinking in some cases.
We also work with heartbroken parents distressed at the impact of this drug on their child.
We know anecdotally that people can experience even more intense reactions from HHC and we have seen cases of HHC-induced psychosis in Ireland, particularly among young men, which is of huge concern.
These individuals can require months of intensive treatment in the in-patient setting with medication to recover from psychosis.
Addiction is also a worry with HHC, with some users developing compulsive use and the need to increase their intake of HHC on a regular basis.
It is scarcely believable that a drug that arrived on the scene for the first time a couple of years ago could have this kind of effect, and that the powers that be would respond with nothing more than a shoulder shrug.
It is critically important that people understand that that just because a substance is sold in a shop, in fancy packaging, for human consumption, it does not mean that it is safe or tested in any way.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF VAPING?
Vaping is still highly addictive as it is a nicotine product but unlike smoking the long term impacts on health are unknown.
The HSE advise not smoking and vaping at the same time to reduce harm to your health.They also do not recommend vaping as a way to stop smoking and instead prefer safer methods such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Chemicals such a flavours and colouring in vapes can be harmful to the lungs.There are significant risks to vaping such as nicotine dependence and poisoning and exposure to toxins.
Injuries can also result from defective e-cigarette batteries causing burns.
Changes to how the heart, lungs and other organs normally work can also occur and these changes in time can lead to cancer or heart or lung disease.
The simple fact is we have no idea what the medium to long term effects of this drug are, given how new it is.
But it is not too late to act. The Government must urgently include HHC and any other semi-synthetic cannabinoid on the list of prohibited substances for manufacture, distribution and sale; enforce the legal prosecution of businesses and retailers found producing, distributing or selling any version of HHC and other semi-synthetic cannabinoids; and also raise awareness of the potential dangers and harms of HHC with the public.
We cannot stand idly by as this new drug wrecks people’s lives.
We must put an end to this now.
EXPERTS are calling for a ban on a legal, cannabis-like substance being sold. The rise of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC has seen an “explosion” of addiction presentations in Ireland, it has be… Read More