A child psychiatrist has raised alarm over the harmful effects of a legal semi-synthetic cannabis on children’s health and well-being.
According to a recent study conducted by doctors at the University of Galway and Mercy University Hospital Cork, this synthetic cannabis substance is easily accessible online and in retail outlets across Ireland.
The research also revealed that it led to the hospitalisation of two men suffering from psychotic illness.
Dr. Bobby Smyth, speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, expressed his ongoing concerns about the impact of drugs on mental health.
He highlighted the distressing experience of the hospitalised men, who endured “full-blown psychosis” lasting several weeks, which needed medical intervention.
Fortunately, stopping the substance use coupled with medical treatment proved beneficial in their recovery.
Dr. Smyth, who specialises in adolescent addiction services in Dublin, noted that cannabis is a prevalent issue among his patients, with approximately 70 to 80% citing it as their primary substance of abuse.
He emphasised the urgent need to address the use of cannabis-related products, including HHC (semi-synthetic cannabis), which has been a growing concern for both patients and healthcare authorities.
Calls have been made to classify HHC under the Misuse of Drugs Act to curb its availability and prevent further harm to more people, especially adolescents.
Despite ongoing debates about drug policy, recent discussions, such as those by the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs, suggest a shift towards reconsidering the criminalisation of drug possession for personal use.
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