In 2023, HHC seemed to flood Irish markets. The semi-synthetic cannabinoid was, and still is, sold freely in vape shops and in large shopping centres across Ireland, existing in a legally grey area of Irish legislation

Mostly unregulated, the substance has been met by unfavourable reviews from health professionals as cases of HHC addiction have spiked massively. Now the Department of Health are actively drafting legislation to make HHC a Schedule One drug, effectively making the substance illegal to possess or sell.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, addressed the Dáil stating “Departmental Officials are drafting legislation to add HHC as a Schedule 1 controlled drug to the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework. I must stress that is not just regulation of the sale of HHC for human consumption. Schedule 1 controlled drugs are subject to the strictest control measures and both the possession and/or sale and supply of a Scheduled 1 controlled drug is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It is expected that this legislation will be brought to Government shortly.”

What is HHC?

HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid which is designed to imitate the effects of THC, the main psychoactive substance found in cannabis that produces a ‘high’. It is semi-synthetic as it is derived from the hemp plant, however chemically altered and developed to achieve the quantity to cause psychoactive effects. It is most commonly sold in liquid concentrate form for vapes or in gummies.

There’s a lot of confusion as to whether HHC is legal or not. The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010, which was brought in after the height of Ireland’s legal Head Shop days, bans substances which were not specifically banned under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, but which have psychoactive effects. According to Citizens Information: “If you are found to be selling or supplying substances for human consumption that have psychoactive effects (but are not specifically banned under the Misuse of Drugs Acts), you are guilty of an offence.”

However, Drugs.ie has stated. “It’s currently available legally in high street shops but this does not guarantee safety and there are concerns regarding the health effects.”

Last September, The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland released their “Guide on HHC” which read: “As of July 2024, it is estimated that HHC has been taken by 20% of young people who seek the help of addiction services in Ireland in the preceding year. This is typically in combination with cannabis itself. HHC is the main presenting drug in about 5% of cases. It was not present at all in Ireland before 2022.”

Since 2023, HHC has progressively been banned in multiple countries across the world, including:

Poland

Malta

Sweden

France

Austria

Luxembourg

Lithuania

Czech Republic

Germany

Russia

Italy

Other Notes

Jennifer Macneil has said It is expected that this legislation will be brought to Government “shortly”. 

Elsewhere on District: Huge Rise In Irish Teenagers Addicted To HHC, And It’s Legal