Strongly linked to episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation, the Government’s ban on Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC ), a semi-synthetic cannabinoid, has been warmly welcomed in Galway.
With recent studies from University Hospital Galway reporting that HHC was the second most common drug used by patients presenting with psychosis over 21 months, local Fianna Fail senator Shane Curley’s Seanad campaign to ban the substance has paid off.
Speaking on the legislation change, Senator Curley said, “As I said previously in the Seanad chamber, I recently sat with a family devastated by the impact of HHC following the tragic death of a young person. HHC vapes have been clearly marketed in a way that targets young people, and this week’s news makes life safer for them and reduces stress on their parents and families.”
HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid that has similar effects to cannabis and has been commonly sold as e-cigarettes or vape pens, in herbal mixtures, oils, edible jellies and cakes and as tinctures. Since it was first detected in Ireland in 2022, it has been linked with episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation.
Once readily available in vape shops, HHC is now a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. This means the import, export, production, possession, sale, and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal.
