Call for tighter regulations around synthetic cannabis

A group of psychiatrists has called on the Government to tighten regulations on the sale and supply of psychoactive substances, saying measures to tackle synthetic cannabis are not working.

Their concerns stem from the continued availability of HHC-like products, which are designed to mimic the effects of cannabis.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was one of several semi-synthetic cannabinoids classified as an illegal drug last summer.

The Department of Health said the move to control the substance followed concerns about its link to episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation.

The classification meant the import, export, production, possession, sale and supply of products containing HHC was banned, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

But, in a letter published in today's Irish Times, leading psychiatrists said that this measure has failed to effectively limit availability.

They say that presentations in psychiatric wards and psychosis clinics, due to the consumption of HHC or HHC-like products, are continuing.

The letter, signed by psychiatrists from Dublin, Cork and Galway, says the ban has not arrested supply but has instead led to the emergence of new products, with similar properties, which are not specifically named as banned substances.

They these new man-made cannabinoids, which are "virtually identical to HHC", are now readily available in shops and online.

The experts say that instead of using the Misuse of Drugs Act, HHC-like products should be covered by the 2010 Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act.

This 'catch-all’ legislation was introduced when there were concerns about the impact of products sold in so-called headshops, 16 years ago.

The authors of the letter say this was "a remarkable success" in helping reduce the amount of psychiatric hospitalisations in Ireland, and that it is the most appropriate way to help safeguard public health.

They’ve called on the Government to ensure this legislation is used as the primary tool to control new psychoactive substances.

A 2025 study in Galway found HHC was the second most used drug by people presenting to hospital with psychosis, over a 21-month period in the previous two years.

Today's correspondence cautions that psychosis is a severe mental health disorder, which can be especially catastrophic when it occurs in a young person.