The rise of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC has seen an "explosion" of addiction presentations in Ireland.
The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is urging the Government to urgently intervene and ban the distribution and sale of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
HHC is a manmade chemically modified version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis.
It is currently available in vapes and edibles in Ireland and is not classified as a controlled substance.
Estimates from the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland suggest HHC is a component part in approximately 20% of all presentations to adolescent addiction services in the last few months.
Consultant Child and Adolescent Addiction Psychiatrist Professor Bobby Smyth told Newstalk Breakfast the effects from HHC are similar to those of THC, which is illegal.
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"It's derived from one of the natural chemicals in the cannabis plant but it's chemically modified," he said.
"It's chemically modified in a way that causes it to act like some of the other drugs in cannabis - particularly THC - and THC is the active drug in cannabis, that's the one that causes the high.
"This new semi-synthetic has similar effects, it appears, to THC".
'Catch-all legislation'
Prof Smyth said HHC is not covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
"There seems to be different pieces of information from different people as to whether it's covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act that was passed in Ireland when we had the headshops," he said.
"That was a piece of catch-all legislation which was meant to make it a criminal offence to sell any psychoactive drug.
"Comments by the Minister for Health seven months indicate he seemed to think... that HHC fell under that but there's been no action".
'Problems you see with cannabis'
Prof Smyth said psychiatrists are "dealing with the harms" from HHC.
"It's a relatively new drug so we don't fully understand [the harms] but it does appear to have the same range of problems that you see with cannabis," he said.
"My main job is in adolescent addiction services and our services - and services across the country - are now dealing with an increasing proportion of presentations related to HHC use.
"Colleagues working in adult psychiatry are dealing with cases of psychosis that have been precipitated by HHC."
Prof Smyth added that they want to see the sale of HHC end as well as action "that's going to be a sufficient deterrent to ensure that the other, similar products waiting in the wings aren't unleashed on the public by the entrepreneurs who are currently selling HHC".
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