Cannabis-infused edible products in foods alluring to children branded 'a danger to society'

Forensic Science Ireland's 2022 annual report documents that in December 2022, there was concern when jelly sweets were submitted to FSI that caused adverse reactions and subsequent hospitalisations of three teenagers.

Forensic Science Ireland has warned over cannabis-infused edible products after finding cannabis in chocolate spread, chocolate bars, crisps and a soft drink.

In its 2022 annual report, FSI said the fact the cannabis ‘edibles' are packaged in a way that is so alluring to children "is one sinister element to these products”.

The report said the product may not contain the drug specified on the packaging which "is an equally worrying factor that makes these sweets such a danger to society”.

The report documents that in December 2022, there was concern when jelly sweets were submitted to FSI that caused adverse reactions and subsequent hospitalisation of three teenagers.

The incidents involved ‘Jolly Rancher’ jellies, labelled as containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in cannabis, but when tested were found to contain the synthetic cannabinoid ADB-PINACA.

FSI found more than 50% of the jellies tested in 2022 did not contain THC but instead contained a synthetic cannabinoid — a class of man-made chemicals that are produced to mimic the effects of THC in the body.

“Little is known about the physiological effects of these man-made compounds and so they pose an even greater risk to consumers than is realised," the report said.

The case study entitled ‘Jellies & Edibles’ — Not So Sweetly Innocent’ records that in 2019, FSI encountered the first submission of drug-infused jelly sweets in plastic sachets.

"At the time, we couldn’t have anticipated the significance of these innocent looking bags of sweets. In three short years, the popularity of these sweets has grown so rapidly that in 2022, work practices and long-standing procedures in the drugs section have been amended to better accommodate this growing area of casework."

It said there are already signs the product range "may be expanding from the jelly sweet-style of presentation to a more varied edible product list”.

The FSI provides a scientific service to the criminal justice system. FSI director general Chris Enright said it reported on 42 suspicious death investigations in 2022 — more than double the number in 2021.

"FSI also supported 142 body identification and missing person identifications in 2022, compared to 102 during 2021. There has also been an increase in submissions relating to sexual assault investigations, which increased by 8% in 2022.”