REVEALED: More than 20 people hospitalised every week for mental disorders due to cannabis use

1,047 people were hospitalised for mental disorders in Ireland last year due to cannabis use, it has been revealed.

That brings the total to nearly 5,000 people in the last five years, with data provided by the HSE showing an increase in hospitalisations linked to the use of cannabis.

Medical experts have expressed concern about the type of cannabis products now available, such as vapes with semi-synthetic cannabinoids.

There were 1,011 people hospitalised with mental disorders related to the consumption of cannabis or cannabis related products in 2021 and 895 in 2022. These incidents related to behavioural and mental issues.

A further 561 people were hospitalised between 2019 and 2023 with cannabis poisoning.

Bobby Smyth, clinical professor with Trinity College Dublin’s department of public health, said his concerns have “increased steadily over the last eight months”.

The HSE has since issued a warning about the use of the semi-synthetic HHC, which has been linked to cases of psychotic illness.

HHC is sold in retail vape shops across Ireland and was connected to an incident in Cork where four teenagers became ill after use of the drug.

HHC is banned in countries such as the UK, Denmark and France, but is legal and readily available in Ireland.

Mr Smyth said HHC now makes up about 25% of the cases presenting at the services he is involved with.

“There seems to be a tight enough timeline between use of HHC and a decline in mood,” he said.

“It is having a depressing effect. I am hearing about some cases where teenagers have lost touch with reality.”

A HSE spokesperson added: “If people have existing mental health problems, the use of cannabis can worsen the condition and make it more difficult to manage in the long term.

“People who use cannabis regularly are more likely than others to ­experience episodes of depression or anxiety.”