HSE calls for multi-agency vape crackdown over psychosis-linked cannabinoids

The HSE is calling for an urgent multi-agency crackdown on Ireland's unregulated vape market as lab testing reveals high-street products mislabelled as legal CBD are laced with potent synthetic cannabinoids linked to psychosis, severe illness, and adolescent addictions

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 17:37, 19 Aug 2026 View 3 Images Vapes and edibles tested by the HSE Emerging Drug Trends Laboratory (Image: Stephen Holland)

The HSE is warning that high-risk cannabinoids are being found in vapes sold not just on the illicit market, but in legitimate vape shops.

These substances have been linked to serious physical and mental health harms, including losing consciousness, severe intoxication, withdrawal and cases of psychosis. With dire medical implications, HSE Emerging Drug Trends manager Nicki Killeen warns that those exposed to synthetic cannabinoids are “far more likely to end up in an emergency department setting compared to another cannabinoid”.

Of the 76 vapes or ‘vape juices’ tested by the HSE Emerging Drug Trends Laboratory in 2026, 28 contained HHC or related compounds, also known as semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Eight contained potent synthetic cannabinoids. 10 acetate-containing compounds that can be linked to lung disease. 12 contained cannabis or related compounds. 41 contained CBD.

Thousands have been hospitalised in Ireland due to synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in recent years. Synthetic cannabinoids are entirely lab made, and semi-synthetic were originally extracted from a plant before being altered in a lab.

The lab results show that products can be mislabelled as CBD or other cannabinoids but actually contain HHC or synthetic cannabinoids. These are new to the EU market and Ms Killeen said there is little evidence related to their short-term or long-term effects.

View 3 Images Nicki Killeen, HSE Emerging Drug Trends manager and Prof Eamon Keenan, HSE Clinical Lead for Addiction Services present in their findings at the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre (Image: Stephen Holland)

“Our lab has identified potent synthetic cannabinoids often known as ‘spice’ in products sold in these shops and in products sold as THC on the illicit market. They are much more potent than traditional cannabis, and products vary widely in content, posing a serious risk,” she said.

“A product can be labelled as Cannabidiol (CBD) but could contain Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) or novel synthetic cannabinoids, and you cannot know what you are actually taking.”

This alert comes as part of the HSE’s early warning process, Ms Killeen stressed the dangers these products pose and said “this isn't a scaremongering tactic”. “If we become aware of extra risky drugs in circulation, it's our duty of care to present that,” she said.

The fact that even the ingredients listed on products cannot be trusted makes it incredibly difficult to tackle the problem, but Ms Killeen revealed they are aware that young people access these substances and they are being found in addiction and homelessness services , as well as within the prison system.

“These are very new to the European market, we don't know a lot about them, and there's actually very limited published research on the health effects of some of the novel cannabinoids,” she said.

Anyone who takes antidepressants could be particularly prone to adverse effects, as synthetic cannabinoids can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome, which flushes the body with serotonin. Similar to the effects of MDMA , this can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction in users.

View 3 Images Vape juice being tested by Sinead McNamara, Senior Biochemist at HSE National Drug Treatment Centre (Image: Stephen Holland)

HSE Clinical Lead for Addiction Services Professor Eamon Keenan states that they are increasingly concerned high-risk cannabinoids are being sold to young people buying vapes and edibles who are not aware they are being exposed to harmful substances. Prof Keenan wished to debunk misinformation and confirm that “semi-synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids are equally dangerous”.

“That's a really important point because if somebody feels that the semi-synthetics aren't as bad as the synthetics, then they'll take a semi-synthetic,” he said. With new products coming onto the market all of the time, Prof Keenan called for the establishment of a dedicated group of relevant stakeholders to address unregulated synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoid vapes and edibles.

This includes the Department of Health and Department of Justice who are responsible for the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Psychoactive Substances Act. Taking things further, he said the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and Food Safety Authority should play a role related to illegal substances in edibles.

Environmental Health and consumer protection representatives should also be brought on board as they investigate what exactly is being sold and the roles and responsibilities related to available products. Prof Keenan said they need to be “more agile” in this current drug market as “things are changing in Europe at a frightening pace”.

Products “that have never been seen before” are consistently being identified in their lab and through forensic science. “That’s why we need to have legislation that's agile enough to be able to deal with these new psychoactive substances as they appear,” he said.

Drugs appearing on the black market is another major point of concern. Ms Killeen highlighted examples, such as a legitimate nicotine bottle being replaced with a potent synthetic cannabinoid. “People were saying it felt like an opioid, so that was obviously a priority for us to investigate,” she said.

“There's quite a lot of fear about opioids. These substances are equally as potent and as dangerous, and it was causing sedative effects, very severe withdrawals, it was leading to hospitalisations and episodes of psychosis.

“It was in a legitimate nicotine bottle for the purposes of sale on the illicit market. It was sold to people who thought they were buying cannabis, they thought it was THC and they had a far different experience. It was a mis-sale on the illicit market.”

Prof Keenan pointed to the rapid rise of vape shops on rural Irish main streets, where unregulated products are openly sold under the guise of "wellness" or "sleep aids." He warned that these substances fall through severe regulatory cracks. He described this as a “Europe-wide phenomenon”.

“It's not just in this country that we're having a problem, it's right across Europe. The health authorities are scrambling to keep up with the changing market”. He said that “this goes beyond Ireland, it’s a European issue”.

The warnings come as the HSE’s Emerging Trends Laboratory leads real-time testing in Ireland. While traditional forensic laboratory results can take up to eight months, their unit can test suspicious vapes within a week - and in urgent cases such as those involving prisons or emergency rooms, within a few hours.

The HSE has offered advice for reducing risks from synthetic cannabinoids. They state that the safest option is not to take drugs, but people should be aware synthetic cannabinoids can look just like CBD or cannabis but have harmful effects:

The HSE Safer Nightlife Programme will return to Electric Picnic and District X this year, providing Back of House drug checking and harm reduction outreach. Information gathered through the programme helps identify emerging drug trends and supports the delivery of timely public health information and alerts.

Anyone concerned about a young person's substance use can access information and support through drugs.ie, the Parents Matter resources at drugs.ie/parents, and local health services.

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