Synthetic THC In 50% Of Ireland's Cannabis Edibles Lure Children, Forensic Scientists' 'Sinister' Findings

As much as 50% of cannabis edibles seized and tested by Irish authorities last year haven’t had any THC. The sweets, however, contained a synthetic cannabinoid made to mimic the effects of THC in the body, according to the Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) Annual Report for 2022, released Monday and reported by Irish Times.

As much as half of the candy, often marketed as marijuana-infused or simply THC-infused, seized and tested contained synthetic man-made chemicals. Whereas little research has been done on the cannabis plant and its effects, even less is known about artificial compounds, which to all indications are a greater risk to product consumers.

The news comes on the heels of Ireland’s Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use vote in favor of a new health-led approach to drugs and illegal substances. The Assembly agreed to recommend a new approach that would observe drug use as a public health problem and not a criminal justice issue as previously. Under the new proposal, individuals caught in possession of any kind of drug would not face criminal conviction or prison time but would be referred to voluntarily engage with health-led services.

The FSI reports that it first came in contact with these chewy sweets in plastic sachets back in 2019 when it found out that they contained controlled drugs. In just three years these sweets gained popularity and the agency had to update its drug policies and procedures to better address the issue.

While cannabis-infused edibles are not a new thing, with the popularity of hash brownies, which are usually homemade. These products in question have taken on “a more professional and commercial appearance” suggesting wider distribution intentions. Often their packages are designed to look similar to popular snacks. Last year, the FSI discovered sachets in casework branded as Jolly Ranchers, Nerds, Starburst, Skittles Wowheads and more.

“The fact that they are packaged in a way that is so alluring to children is one sinister element to these products, but that they may not contain the drug specified on the packaging is an equally worrying factor that makes these sweets such a danger to society,” the report reads.

What’s more, the agency adds that the product range is also expanding, with products like “Nutella”, “Doritos”, and “Fanta” being submitted for testing and were confirmed to contain THC.

“It’s notoriously difficult to predict drug marketplace trends but this evolving combination of novel presentations in parallel with the ever-expanding list of new synthetic cannabinoids may well indicate further significant drug testing and public health challenges ahead,” concludes the section about pot edibles in the report.

See Also: Medical Marijuana Clinic In Ireland Now Open For Eligible Patients

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