Multiple children in Dublin were admitted to hospital on Sunday night following the consumption of a jelly product suspected to contain cannabis.
It's understood that three children were taken to a hospital in west Dublin after they consumed the product suspected to have been sold as cannabis jellies, however, it has not been formally confirmed what the product contained and has yet to undergo forensic analysis. It is understood the product involved is marketed as Runtz sweets, according to an official Garda release.
Gardaí confirmed the hospitalisations to the Irish Mirror and are currently conducting enquiries in relation to the incident.
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In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Gardaí are conducting enquiries after a number of children (pre-teens) required hospital treatment following an incident at a residence in West Dublin on Sunday.
"It’s understood the children became ill having consumed a product advertised as cannabis-infused edibles. Their conditions are not life-threatening.
"A small quantity of this product has been seized and is subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). As this incident involves young persons no further information is available at this time."
It comes after a series of hospitalisations occurred in 2022 following the consumption of what was sold as cannabis jellies, but upon forensic analysis was revealed to be a synthetic cannabinoid.
Concern has previously been expressed regarding these jellies by the HSE, who have warned that the products contain synthetic cannabinoids, advising the public that there is a "high level of risk associated with edibles currently available."
In a statement, the HSE explained: "Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals produced to mimic the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
"Often, products do not contain THC but instead they can contain a synthetic cannabinoid which will produce similar, more potent effects.
"They will greatly increase the risks of a drug emergency occurring because they produce more intense adverse effects. Their use has caused many serious poisonings, mass poisonings and deaths internationally in recent years."
It was added that these "counterfeit edible products" are made in "clandestine laboratories".
Furthermore, an analysis carried out by Forensic Science Ireland found that a number of cannabis edibles recently seized were found not to contain any THC and only "new and extra risky synthetic cannabinoids."
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