HSE calls for new psychoactive substance rules
HSE calls for agile legislation after synthetic cannabinoids are found in vapes, vape juices and edibles sold in Ireland
Print27 August 2026
HSE says ‘agile legislation’ needed to deal with emergence of new psychoactive substances
High-risk synthetic cannabinoids linked to “serious physical and mental-health harms” including psychosis, loss of consciousness and severe intoxication have been detected in vape products sold in Ireland.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said “agile legislation” is needed to deal with the emergence of new psychoactive substances following the discovery.
Illicit marker
The substances were identified in vapes, vape “juice” and edible products in shops and the illicit market, the CSNA reports.
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.
Many of the items were sold legally through shops while being advertised as a legal substance, such as CBD.
The substances are linked to “serious physical and mental health harms” including psychosis, loss of consciousness and severe intoxication.
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.
“The Food Safety Authority say because they are not foods, they have no role in legislation,” he said. “Environmental health has a specific remit around tobacco and nicotine, but they have no specific remit around CBD.
“But somebody needs to have a specific remit around these substances. We know that if you go into a supermarket, everything that we buy has to be approved and regulated.
“But in these shops, who is identifying the contents of these CBD products? Who is monitoring?”
Nicki Killeen, HSE emerging drug trends manager, said semi-synthetic cannabinoids are “new to the EU market”, and there is “little evidence available” on their short-term and long-term health effects.
“In addition, our lab has identified potent synthetic cannabinoids often known as ‘spice’ in products sold in these shops and in products sold as THC on the illicit market,” she said.
“They are much more potent than traditional cannabis, and products vary widely in content, posing a serious risk. A product can be labelled as cannabidiol (CBD) but could contain hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) or novel synthetic cannabinoids, and you cannot know what you are actually taking.”
Killeen said the HSE is aware of bottles of nicotine that had been legitimately bought, emptied and filled with these illegal substances before being sold on the black market.
“People buying thought it was THC but it was actually a potent, synthetic cannibinoid,” he said.
“People were saying it felt like an opiate. These substances are equally as potent and as dangerous as opiates. It was causing sedative effects, was leading to hospitalisations and episodes of psychosis.”
Read more: HSE introduces new tobacco retail licensing – CSNA
© 2026, ShelfLife by CSNA
Related Articles
Minister Burke has a very big decision to make, says CSNA →
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers