Leitrim councillor pushes for action on vape shops selling ‘legal highs’ to young people

Concerns were raised during a meeting of Leitrim County Council regarding the ethics and legality surrounding the sale of semi-synthetic cannabis products, which are frequently sold in vape shops across the country and appear to target young people.

Cllr James Gilmartin proposed a motion requesting that the Council write to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, to seek clarification on the current legislation governing the sale of these products.

These products, which contain Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), have seen a rapid rise in availability on the Irish market since 2022. HHC is sold in vape form as well as in gummies.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the component of cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effects. Although these products do not contain THC, HHC is a chemically similar compound and produces comparable, albeit milder, effects.

“I have particular concern with the wellbeing of young and vulnerable people in communities. Over recent months there has been a noticeable rise in the availability of semi-synthetic cannabis products, most commonly HHC,” Cllr Gilmartin said.

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He noted that the substance is being sold openly in retail outlets, particularly those specialising in vaping supplies, often marketed as legal highs or safe alternatives.

“These products are neither harmless nor adequately regulated,” he continued. “These substances are often attractively packaged, readily accessible and marketed in a way that downplays or obscures their risks.

“With no public understanding of what HHC really is and no legal line clearly being drawn, we’re leaving a dangerous gap that young people are falling into,” he added.

As a result, he stressed that it is “absolutely vital” the Council urgently seek clarification on the legal status of HHC and similar substances. 

Specifically, under what legislation these substances are controlled and what actions are being taken to prevent their sale to young and vulnerable individuals.

He also pointed out that many of these retail outlets stock drug-related paraphernalia such as grinders, rolling papers, and bongs, “that serves no purpose other than to facilitate drug use.”

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He warned that the normalisation of these products is deeply concerning.

Cllr Gilmartin’s motion received broad support from councillors, who agreed that the trend is troubling and that vaping and the use of these products have become increasingly normalised in recent years.

“Vapes and their contents are everywhere, I don’t think parents know what’s going on. The sooner we get ahead of this the better because it’s having huge effects on young people,” Cllr Flynn said.