Ban on HHC is not enough, urgent need for education campaign – Sherlock

Labour Party Spokesperson on Health, Marie Sherlock TD, has called on the Government to go further than a ban on HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) and to urgently introduce a public education campaign on this widely available drug.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“I welcome today’s announcement to increase regulation on the semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). It is about time to see long-overdue action on the availability and increasingly widespread use of HHC products. Youth workers, youth organisations, and psychiatrists have been long calling for action on HHC, since it became available in 2022.

“It is startling that despite warnings regarding the risks and increasing prevalence of severe psychosis, we have seen no public health campaign to prevent or reduce harm from HHC products. All we hear today is the same old legalistic approach, with some talk about education with no commitment.

“In April, the HSE confirmed to me that it had not been requested or funded to develop a HHC vape prevention campaign and has no plans to develop a specific campaign, unless it is requested and resourced to do so.

“While I welcome the sentiment expressed by Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor that we must compliment regulation with education and prevention programmes, there is no commitment by Government nor a plan by the HSE to develop a HHC specific campaign.

“The Health Research Board recently confirmed that 169 young people have sought treatment for HHC-related problems over the last 18 months. Recent research from the College of Psychiatrists found that in University Hospital Galway’s Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, HHC is now the second most common drug linked to psychosis admissions.

“It is clear what the Minister needs to do now. The law alone will never “fix” this.

“I call on the Government to commit to increased investment in local adolescent addiction services in Budget 2026, as well as increased funding for robust mental health supports for young people.

“And crucially, the Minister must urgently request and fund a public information campaign on HHC vapes, including in youth services and schools, to increase knowledge of the potentially extreme mental health dangers of HHC use, given its rapid prevalence in Ireland.”