'A repeat of the headshop issue': Concerns raised over new synthetic cannabis products

A NEW semi-synthetic form of cannabis is being legally sold in Ireland, with comparisons being drawn between these new drugs and the synthetic highs previously available in headshops a decade ago.

Very little research exists around the effects of such substances, but serious health concerns have already been raised

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is ingested, smoked or vaped, can be legally bought in vape shops and online in Ireland as a "legal replacement".

It has been reported as a "drug of concern" by the HSE, but currently is legal under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Professor Colin O'Gara, head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital, and clinical professor of psychiatry at UCD, has reported that he is already seeing issues resulting from the use of HHC.

Speaking on Tuesday's Today with Claire Byrne show on RTÉ, Professor O'Gara said his services were already seeing " an increasing amount of referrals for HHC" from across the country.

"This repeats the whole experience that we had around 2012 with headshops, until the government closed the loophole there," he stated.

"People are presenting to us with the exact same symptomatology - psychotic symptoms and addiction just like cannabis."

"There's no doubt in my mind, based on the young people presenting to me, that it's a problem. To me it mimics the methadone issue in 2012, this is a loophole, it needs to be closed ASAP," Professor O'Gara continued.

HHC is made in a laboratory, where the THC extracted from cannabis sativa is combined with hydrogen molecules. It has already been linked to a number of incidents where children and young people have fallen ill after ingesting or vaping it, including a high profile incident in a Cork school.

Rachel Christie is a principal scientific analyst at the EU Drugs Agency who are monitoring the substance, and agrees that the current situation with synthetic cannabis products reflects the situation over ten years ago with headshops.

"This does add to the concern around this substance, and its availability and its spread, and the way it is marketed," she said, speaking on the RTÉ show.