270. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health for an update on legislation pertaining to the use and supply of products containing hexahydrocannabinol, which has psychoactive effects upon consumption by humans. [8425/24]

Minister for Health: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I would like to open with an explanation as to what HHC is and its current legal position.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is a Schedule 1 controlled drug in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations and is subject to the strictest of controls.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but it is not a Schedule 1 controlled drug. It is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that has rarely been identified as a trace component in Cannabis Sativa, but can also be produced synthetically by hydrogenation of cannabis extracts.

HHC was first identified in Europe in May 2022 and was put under intensive monitoring at the end of 2022 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

It is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a New Psychoactive Substance by the EU Early Warning System since October 2022.

Early warning in Ireland is co-ordinated by the EMCDDA National Focal Point and the Early Warning, Emerging Trends (EWET) working group chaired by the Department of Health. EWET continues to monitor the emergence and use of this substance in Ireland.

HHC has been reported as a drug of concern by HSE and adolescent service providers. HHC can be contained in vaping products. There is growing concern on the potential impact of using this substance on young people’s mental health including the possible link with psychosis. Young people report adverse effects such as loss of consciousness after use.

The HSE will add content about HHC to its website, drugs.ie. Evidence in relation to harms associated with HHC will be carefully monitored and appropriate responses will be considered. The HSE will continue to liaise with the EMCDDA, and the Early Warning and Emerging Trends (EWET) group for further direction on this substance.

This is an area currently being monitored by the HSE and the EU Drug Agency as there is limited information on the health impact of this substance.

With regard to synthetic cannabinoids, the HSE has comprehensive harm reduction information about the substances available on drugs.ie.

The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 is an act to prevent the misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful psychoactive substances and to provide for offences relating to the sale, importation, exportation or advertisement of those substances.

Under Section 3 of the Act it 3.—

(1) A person who sells a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who imports or exports a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.

Protections are currently in place. Anybody who sells a HHC vape, which one would assume is for human consumption, is guilty of an offence under the 2010 Act.