High-risk synthetic cannabinoids linked to \u201cserious physical and mental-health harms\u201d including psychosis, loss of consciousness and severe intoxication have been detected in vape products sold in Ireland.<\/p>\n
The Health Service Executive (HSE)<\/a> said \u201cagile legislation\u201d is needed to deal with the emergence of new psychoactive substances following the discovery.<\/p>\n The substances were identified in vapes<\/a>, vape \u201cjuice\u201d and edible products in shops and the illicit market.<\/p>\n A total of 76 vapes or vape juices have been analysed in 2026, and 28 contained hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) or related compounds such as semi-synthetic cannabinoids.<\/p>\n Eight contained potent synthetic cannabinoids, while 10 had an acetate-containing compound linked to lung disease. A dozen had cannabis or related compounds, while 41 contained cannabidiol (CBD).<\/p>\n [\u00a0Teens presenting at EDs with psychosis from legal, semi-synthentic cannabis vaping product, says leading psychiatristOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Many of the items were sold legally through shops while being advertised as a legal substance, such as CBD.<\/p>\n The substances are linked to \u201cserious physical and mental health harms\u201d including psychosis, loss of consciousness and severe intoxication.<\/p>\n Prof Eamon Keenan, HSE clinical lead for addiction services, said there is a need for establishment of a stakeholder group to ensure the regulation of these products does not fall through the cracks.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Food Safety Authority say because they are not foods, they have no role in legislation,\u201d he said. \u201cEnvironmental health has a specific remit around tobacco and nicotine but they have no specific remit around CBD.<\/p>\n