The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, have today established a joint Working Group to address the availability and use of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids.

The Working Group, chaired by Minister Murnane O’Connor, brings together the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Health Service Executive (HSE), An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies. The group will strengthen enforcement of existing legislation, improve coordination across government, and support a rapid response to emerging drug risks, including synthetic cannabinoids found in products sold in shops, online and through other markets.

The announcement follows a meeting between the two Ministers and relevant officials to discuss recent findings from the HSE Emerging Drug Trends Laboratory, which identified high-risk synthetic cannabinoids in vapes, vape liquids and edible products. Health authorities have warned that these substances can be associated with severe intoxication, loss of consciousness, psychosis and other serious harms, particularly among young people.

The Working Group will oversee ongoing efforts to improve intelligence-sharing between agencies, enhance monitoring of emerging substances, and examine legislative and regulatory measures to better protect public health and public safety.

Speaking today, the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “The establishment of this Working Group with the support of Minister O’Callaghan, will ensure a coordinated, timely and effective response across public health, regulatory systems and enforcement. Protecting people, especially young people, from harm is our priority. “The use of synthetic cannabinoids in vapes and other products is a growing concern. These substances can have severe and unpredictable effects. People may be unaware of what they are consuming due to misleading labelling or marketing.”

The Ministers noted the classification of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and reaffirmed their commitment to reviewing legal mechanisms that support a faster and more effective response to emerging substances.

The Working Group will meet shortly to agree next steps and support a coordinated national response to synthetic cannabinoids and other emerging drug risks.

Notes
Recent HSE analysis of vapes and vape liquids sold in Ireland identified products containing HHC, synthetic cannabinoids and other substances of concern. The HSE has warned that these substances may be associated with serious physical and mental health harms and that products may be mislabelled, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are taking.

In July 2025, HHC was classified as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, making its importation, exportation, production, possession, sale and supply illegal.

The sale of a psychoactive substance, which is not regulated or controlled under other legislation, for human consumption, is illegal under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010. Advertising, importing or exporting these substances, where a person knows or is reckless as to whether they are being supplied for human consumption, is also an offence.

An annual licensing system for tobacco and nicotine inhaling products was provided for in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023. It came into effect on 2 February 2026 for retailers newly selling tobacco or nicotine inhaling products. Retailers who were already selling these products were required to apply for a licence by 2 August 2026.