Home > Ban synthetic cannabis sold in head shops, advises drugs committee

THE Government’s drug advisory body has recommended an entire range of synthetic cannabis chemicals sold in head shops be banned.

Some of these chemicals have been found in herbal "spice" mixtures in head shops around the country.

These manmade chemicals are up to 100 times more potent than illegal plant-based cannabis.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) has told the Government it is possible under Irish law to ban around 170 cannabis chemicals by controlling six different chemical groupings.

This would end the practice of manufacturers getting around laws banning specific substances by altering the chemical compound and producing a slightly different, and legal, substance.

"We sent our first report to the Minister for Drugs John Curran last week regarding spice products," said NACD chairman, Dr Des Corrigan.

"We are recommending a whole range of these synthetics cannabis chemicals be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.