Psychiatrists Call for Tighter Regulations on Synthetic Cannabis in Ireland

A group of leading Irish psychiatrists has issued a stark warning, calling for urgent government action to curb the proliferation of synthetic cannabis. Their open letter, published in The Irish Times, highlights a critical failure in existing regulations, arguing that the ban on Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has been largely ineffective in stemming the tide of these dangerous psychoactive substances.

The psychiatrists, drawing on their clinical experience in Dublin, Cork, and Galway, report a continued influx of patients presenting with psychosis and other severe mental health issues linked to HHC and similar 'designer' drugs. They contend that the ban, implemented last summer under the Misuse of Drugs Act, has not deterred supply but has instead spurred the creation of new, subtly altered compounds that evade specific prohibition. These substances, described as virtually identical to HHC, are now easily accessible through shops and online platforms, posing a significant risk, particularly to young people.

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this measure has failed to effectively limit availability

This situation underscores a concerning gap in Ireland's drug control strategy. The psychiatrists argue forcefully that the current approach is inadequate and that a more robust legislative tool is needed. They champion the 2010 Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act as the most effective means to combat this evolving threat. This 'catch-all' legislation, previously instrumental in reducing psychiatric hospitalizations, is seen as the appropriate framework to safeguard public health from the unpredictable dangers of new psychoactive substances.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by a 2025 study from Galway, which identified HHC as the second most common drug among individuals admitted to hospital with psychosis. The psychiatrists' plea is not merely a call for legislative change but a desperate appeal to protect a vulnerable population from potentially catastrophic mental health outcomes. Their perspective, rooted in direct patient care, offers a critical counterpoint to the perceived inaction on this pressing public health issue.

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a remarkable success