TD warns against synthetic cannabis use

Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins has warned there are significant health risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids that can appear in some jellies and sweets, and has said this has led to a rise in hospitalisations.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said “synthetic cannabinoids can greatly increase the risks of a drug emergency because they produce more intense adverse effects. According to the HSE, their use has caused many serious poisonings, mass poisonings, and deaths internationally in recent years.”

“Separate figures provided to me by the HSE show that from 2018 to 2022, there have been 3,277 hospitalisations for mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of cannabinoids. This was up 50% from 526 in 2018 to 790 hospitalisations in 2021, with this figure dropping slightly to 658 last year.

“In the same timeframe, there were 189 hospitalisations for poisoning due to the use of cannabis products.”

“The HSE issued a warning to the public about synthetic cannabinoids appearing in cannabis and THC products. This came after a small number of people were hospitalised in Tipperary in December 2022 after ingesting cannabis jellies that were found to contain synthetic cannabinoids.

The TD said, “what is concerning is how easily these illegal edibles can be obtained as they are available for sale through social media channels through word of mouth or via text message.”

She added, “doctors have expressed concern through media about the link between cannabis edibles and significant associations with a psychiatric disease like schizophrenia as well as psychotropic effects.”

“Government is acutely aware of the devastating impact that illegal drugs, drug dealing, and related criminality have on communities across the country and that is why additional resources being allocated to the Gardai, evidenced by the unprecedented funding of over €2 billion provided in Budget 2023, but I also think that an educational approach is needed.”

“These illegal products are relatively new on the market and not much is known about what is contained in them. Therefore it is essential that we have an ongoing HSE education and awareness campaign to alert people to the dangers of these drugs.”