73. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a definition of cannabinoid products as they relate to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 30 May 2023. [28659/23]

Minister for Finance: Revenue has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into, or exported from, the State. I am advised that cannabinoids are a diverse group of chemical compounds which can be extracted from the cannabis plant and formulated in to various products, including oils and edibles. Cannabinoids are a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended, but are not defined under the act. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) states that a cannabinoid is defined as follows:

“any of various naturally occurring, biologically active, chemical constituents (such as cannabidiol or cannabinol) of hemp or cannabis including some (such as THC) that possess psychoactive properties.”

The most prominent cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis use. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, resulting in the euphoric “high” experienced by its users, and is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Another prominent cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which does not produce a psychoactive effect like THC. There are over 100 other known cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC).

Synthetic cannabinoids are laboratory produced compounds designed to mimic the effects of naturally occurring cannabinoids. These synthetic versions are created by altering the chemical structure of the cannabinoids or by developing new compounds that interact with the same receptors in the brain.

I am advised by Revenue that the breakdown of cannabinoid products provided for in response in PQ 214 of 30 May 2023, relate specifically to cannabis edibles, given the context of the question posed.