The Daily Star Ireland
In a decisive move to curb the growing health concerns associated with synthetic cannabinoids, the Irish Government has officially classified Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as an illegal drug. Effective immediately, the importation, export, manufacture, possession, sale, and distribution of products containing HHC are strictly prohibited under Irish law.
HHC Now a Controlled Substance
HHC, a semi-synthetic compound that mimics the effects of THC—the psychoactive component of cannabis—has been added to Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. This category is reserved for substances considered to pose the highest risk to public health and with no recognised medical use.
The Department of Health released a statement detailing the rationale behind the decision. HHC has become increasingly available in a range of consumer products such as vape pens, e-cigarettes, herbal smoking mixtures, edible jellies, oils, and tinctures. Since it first appeared in Ireland in 2022, the compound has been linked to several serious incidents involving psychosis and hospitalisation.
A recent clinical study conducted at University Hospital Galway revealed that HHC ranked as the second most commonly used drug among individuals presenting with psychotic episodes over a span of nearly two years.
Medical and Public Health Concerns Mount
The ban follows heightened pressure from the medical community. Earlier this month, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland voiced its alarm, stating it “beggars belief” that substances like HHC were still legally accessible despite clear evidence of harm to mental health, particularly among young people.
Professor Bobby Smyth, Chair of the Addiction Faculty at the College and a clinical professor at Trinity College Dublin, criticised the delay in implementing restrictions. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, he expressed concern over how easily retailers might substitute HHC with other unregulated, equally dangerous alternatives once the ban takes effect.
“The issue isn’t just HHC—it’s the cycle of replacing banned substances with near-identical variants that stay one step ahead of legislation,” Smyth warned. He added that some users have likely developed a dependency, increasing the demand for comparable synthetic cannabinoids.
Professor Smyth also questioned why HHC and similar drugs hadn’t been regulated under the Psychoactive Substances Act of 2010—a law that effectively shut down Ireland’s so-called “headshops” by banning a broad class of psychoactive products rather than specific compounds individually. That approach, he argued, dramatically reduced the number of patients presenting with drug-induced psychosis and could provide a more proactive legal framework today.
EU and UN Classification Supports Move
The decision to criminalize HHC is consistent with global regulatory trends. The Department of Health confirmed that HHC is one of 14 new substances identified by both the European Union and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs as posing a significant public health threat. These substances include other synthetic cannabinoids and opioids now recognised for their potential to cause harm.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill emphasized that these products are being deliberately marketed to younger demographics. “Selling HHC in brightly packaged vapes or candy-like edibles is a deceptive tactic that downplays the serious mental health risks these drugs pose,” she said. “Our goal is to implement measures that protect and promote the wellbeing of all people in Ireland.”
Enhanced Enforcement Powers
With the reclassification, Gardaí are now equipped with stronger enforcement powers to crack down on the distribution and possession of HHC-containing products. The move signals a renewed commitment by Irish authorities to address emerging synthetic drug trends before they become widespread public health crises.
Meanwhile, the Garda Representative Association and public health experts have stressed the importance of sustained vigilance, calling on both lawmakers and retailers to avoid a repeat of the revolving-door product swaps that plagued Ireland in the pre-2010 headshop era.
As policymakers, clinicians, and law enforcement coordinate efforts, there is cautious optimism that Ireland can curb the rise of synthetic cannabinoids like HHC before they exact a deeper toll on public health—especially among the nation’s youth.
