Products marketed in Cyprus as containing cannabidiol, or CBD, may instead contain dangerous synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Cyprus National Addictions Authority.
The warning followed an urgent notification from the European Union Drugs Agency, which specifically referred to such products being detected in Cyprus. Consumers may be unable to determine what substances these products actually contain, despite packaging that appears legitimate or presents them as low risk.
European alert prompts Cyprus warning
Dr Christos Minas, President of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, told CNA that the authority issued its public warning after receiving information through the European Drug Alert System operated by the European Union Drugs Agency.
The urgent notification, which was sent to all EU member states, concerned products labelled as CBD that were found to contain psychoactive substances.
“Based on the EUDA guidelines, information about these dangerous products, which were found to contain synthetic cannabinoids, is circulated at national level through the alert system,” Dr Minas said.
The European notification concerned both synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids.
“These substances can be particularly dangerous to health because their packaging may appear legal or low risk, while their actual health effects can be unpredictable,” he said.
According to the alert, the substances may be sold in electronic cigarette liquids, disposable vaping devices, oils, drops, flowers, resins and edible products.
Authorities cannot confirm product contents
Dr Minas said that although CBD is not classified as a narcotic substance, Cypriot legislation treats cannabidiol as a medicinal product.
“The sale of CBD products is illegal, as no such product has received marketing authorisation as a medicine in Cyprus,” he said.
He added that products are imported from other EU member states where they may be treated as food supplements and are not subject to the same regulatory controls.
Stores selling CBD products are operating in Cyprus without the relevant authorisation, he said, meaning that consumers “cannot be certain about what they contain”.
“Products have been identified which claimed to contain CBD but, in reality, contained other illegal psychoactive substances,” Dr Minas said.
The Pharmaceutical Services and Cyprus Police operate a joint inspection programme targeting unauthorised cannabidiol products. Operations carried out in previous years resulted in products being confiscated.
Public awareness remains central
Dr Minas said the use of any psychoactive substance could cause serious health problems, particularly when consumers do not know what they are taking.
He said public awareness remained the authority’s main tool for preventing incidents involving unknown or undeclared psychoactive substances.
Industrial hemp is separately regulated
Dr Minas also distinguished industrial hemp from CBD products intended for consumption.
Industrial hemp refers to the Cannabis sativa plant, parts of the plant and its seeds with a tetrahydrocannabinol content of up to 0.2%. Its production and sale are regulated by legislation and require a licence from the Department of Agriculture.
“Industrial hemp has nothing to do with products intended for consumption. It concerns products such as threads, textiles, ropes and other industrial products,” he said.
Company calls for regulatory action
Klostiki Ltd issued a statement supporting the authority’s warning and its efforts to protect public health.
The company said the announcement confirmed concerns it had raised over the past two years about uncontrolled products and synthetic cannabinoids circulating in the Cypriot market.
It also called for a clear distinction between industrial hemp, which is used to produce fibres, construction materials, animal feed and other biological products, and products intended for consumption that may contain substances of unclear origin.
Klostiki Ltd urged the government to prohibit the retail sale of uncertified cannabis products and synthetic cannabinoids until a clear legislative framework is established.
The company also called for incentives to support outdoor industrial hemp cultivation in line with the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy.
It said it remained available to cooperate with the authorities and submit proposals on using industrial hemp as a strategic raw material for sustainable development, agriculture, construction and environmental protection.
Source: CNA
