Drugs awareness advice - Cannabis Jellies

On this month’s Crimecall, Detective Superintendent Sé McCormack from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) was in studio to discuss the growing countrywide problem of Cannabis jellies and the health risks they can cause.  Cannabis jellies are edible sweets that contain cannabis and are illegal in Ireland. 

The GNDOCB became aware of Cannabis Jellies in Ireland, after they made the first significant seizure of approximately €3.75 million in cannabis infused jellies, sweets and bars in July 2020. 

The packaging is bright and colourful which could make them more attractive for both children and adults who might mistake them for ordinary sweets.  The packages often have a very slight variation of a more recognisable brand. 

These illegal edibles are readily accessible through social media, word of mouth and simply by a text message.

As part of the segment Crimecall interviewed Dr. Sarah Killoran, Forensic Science Ireland, and Dr. Adrian Moughty, Mater Hospial, Dublin.

Dr. Sarah Killoran who analyses drugs seized by Gardaí, discussed the components contained in some of the Cannabis jellies seized by Gardaí. She explained that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psycho active component in the Cannabis plant.  But that not all edibles analysed contain natural cannabis elements.  Many of the sweets / jellies analysed contained a Synthetic cannabinoid which Dr. Killoran explained is a man-made chemical designed to mimic the effect of THC in the body.  There hasn’t been any research done in this area as they are new to the market. There isn’t any quality control and they are more potent than THC.

Packaging labelled as containing THC, Cannabis infused, or a cannabis leaf symbol on the packaging, isn’t always the case and you really don’t know what you are getting.

Dr. Adrian Moughty, Emergency Medicine, Mater Hospital, discussed the effects of cannabis edibles. In Sept 2020, he started to see presentations specifically to cannabis edibles.  He explained that if someone were to inhale cannabis, they would feel the effects within minutes and the effects would wear off within a few hours.  However, if someone is eating cannabis the time from ingestion to psychotropic effects would be delayed by a number of hours. As a result, people feel it is not working and may take more jellies which can potentially cause harmful effects.  He discussed the significant associations with psychiatric disease for example, schizophrenia. 

Garda Advice

• Sweets containing Synthetic cannabinoids and THC are illegal.
• Don’t take them
• You don’t know what is in them
• You don’t know where they came from
• They could become a stepping stone for further substance use