Updated 2.40pm
Seven people have been treated in hospital in the last five days after consuming “dangerous” semi-synthetic cannabis edible products, the Medical Assocation of Malta has revealed.
MAM said patients suffered extreme drowsiness lasting for over 24 hours, vomiting, vision problems and liver damage after consuming the products such as gummies, cakes and cookies “particularly those containing the substance CC9”.
The MAM has called for “immediate government action” to remove these “dangerous products from sale and hold accountable those who profit from putting public health at risk.”
What is CC9?
CC9, also referred to as HHC-C9, is a new semi-synthetic cannabinoid identified in the recreational drug market.
It is a lab-made product designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, which has a naturally occurring psychoative substance called THC.
According to a public awareness drug alert issued by the University of Malta this week, the European Union Drugs Agency first received a report from Italy in December of acute poisonings linked to CC9 from e-cigarettes and gummies.
Little is known about CC9 as the effects of semi-synthetic cannabinoids on humans have not been studied but consumer reports suggest similar effects to cannabis.
“However, some products are available in forms that can deliver high doses, raising concerns about the potential public health implications,” the university information leaflet said.
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‘Unlikely to die’
MAM vice president Jeffrey Bonnici told Times of Malta some of the seven patients had consumed a semi-synthetic cannabinoid edible that had CC9 in it.
They could confirm this as the patients showed the package of the edible to the doctors.
Regarding the other cases, Bonnici said that they “probably” all included synthetic cannabinoids, however, he could not confirm.
Although the patients experienced terrible symptoms for many hours, Bonnici said that “it’s very unlikely that they will die from this”.
Bonnici explained that because the effects of an edible take longer to kick in than smoking cannabis – sometimes over an hour – many people end up eating too much as they do not feel the immediate effects.
‘Deep concern’
MAM expressed its “deep concern” about the “dangerous new cannabis edible products” warning these products are being sold with “misleading NOT for human consumption labels, while clearly being marketed for exactly that purpose”.
“These substances completely bypass the rigorous safety testing and clinical trials required by European Medicines Agency regulations, putting consumers at serious risk,” the MAM said.
Traditional cannabis already carries health risks, but these new products represent “an even greater danger due to their unpredictable potency and the difficulty in detecting them through standard medical tests”.
MAM pointed out that cannabis consumption significantly impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Furthermore, substantial scientific evidence links cannabis use to serious mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and in some cases, psychosis, particularly among young and vulnerable users.
Cannabis-related impairment creates serious public safety risks, particularly when operating vehicles or heavy machinery.
The prolonged impairment from these new edible products is especially concerning, as effects may last much longer than users anticipate, the MAM continued.
ReLeaf, the NGO that seeks the regularisation of cannabis, condemned the proliferation of these “misleading products” and has reiterated its call to the government to “remove fake cannabinoids from the market”.
In a statement on Thursday, the community-based NGO that seeks the regulation of cannabis in Malta stressed that “food products found online, or ordered via courier are not cannabis edibles.”
“These are synthetic products trying to imitate cannabis and do not produce similar effects,” Andrew Bonello, president of ReLeaf Malta said.
The NGO said it has been calling on the government to remove these fake cannabinoids from the market since 2022. It complained it “continues to be ignored” by the government and the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC).
“No consultation was held with us on the new legal amendments or any other decision concerning cannabis consumers in Malta,” Bonello said.
He added that ARUC and the government “are getting their advice from profit driven individuals instead of the cannabis community as originally designed in the law.”
ReLeaf also pointed out it was “strange” that Sedqa remains silent on this matter.
Medical Association of Malta warns cannabis edibles are not for human consumption, calls for ‘immediate government action’ Read More
