Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for outlining that. I can see he is concerned about this.

Hexahydrocannabinol is not currently a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. As the Deputy said, it is being monitored closely at international level by the European Union drugs agency, which I understand is the initial step in placing a substance under drug control measures. It is important to point out that the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 is an Act to prevent the misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful psychoactive substances and to provide for offences relating to the sale, importation, exportation or advertisement of those substances. There are protections in place, and anybody who sells a HHC vape, which one would assume is for human consumption, is guilty of an offence under the 2010 Act.

I hear what the Deputy says, however, acknowledging the fact that there is awareness. He just wants to see further progress on this. I would imagine, given that it is being closely monitored, that there will be progression after that. I hear what he says about the drug addiction centres and CAMHS and some of the symptoms or the outcomes that people, particularly young people, have when they inhale this vape, and I will bring his concerns to the attention of the Minister.

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