Cannabis users in Barbados are being urged to exercise extreme caution, as illegal products on the local market are increasingly being laced with synthetic or semi-synthetic substances with dangerous health consequences.
This warning came on Monday from psychiatrist Dr Ronald Chase of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), following the seizure of a product branded Original Royal Honey Delta from a local store. Tests confirmed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — cannabis’ main psychoactive compound — and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a lab-made variant.
“These semi-synthetic drugs were first detected internationally around 2021. While they are relatively new, jurisdictions have already flagged serious concerns, particularly around how they are packaged,” Chase explained.
He noted that brightly coloured packaging and candy-like branding have led to numerous cases of accidental ingestion abroad. “In the initial analysis in 2022, about 40 per cent of admissions for unintentional use were children under 18,” he said.
The psychiatrist stressed that, unlike the natural plant, where compounds like HHC occur in tiny amounts, the synthetic versions are far more potent and far more dangerous.
“The semi-synthetic version increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It has a higher incidence of causing psychosis, anxiety, agitation, even aggression. That’s why people end up in hospitals — because of the dramatic changes in their blood pressure, their behaviour, and so on,” Chase warned.
He urged consumers to scrutinise labels carefully and remain cautious about any unfamiliar cannabis-related products they may be given. “It is a serious health risk and persons need to be aware. Any new product, we need to be on the alert,” he said.
Supporting the call, Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams admitted that it was not so simple to just tell citizens not to use illegal substances, and he cautioned that drug users today face a far riskier environment than in years past, as more and more street drugs are being laced with deadly substances.
“Please know what it is that you are consuming,” he urged. Recalling a recent encounter, the minister described seeing someone roll a joint after spraying the cannabis with an unknown substance.
“When I asked, the person told me it was a booster. He smoked it and then passed it to someone else. Now, I don’t know if he knew what was in it — but if you’re smoking weed, I expect it to be weed. You can’t just lace it and then share it with others,” Abrahams said.
The minister stressed that many people may be unknowingly exposing themselves to substances with extreme or unpredictable effects. “The drug landscape of today is not the drug landscape of 2015 or 2010. If you are not certain what you’re putting in your body, don’t put it in,” he said.
He also appealed directly to parents to remain vigilant. “Parents need to be hyper-vigilant where their children are concerned. Your child has no reason to hide candy or Smarties from you. If they are hiding something that looks like sweets, ask questions,” Abrahams advised.
He encouraged families to take advantage of testing services if they are uncertain about a product’s safety. “If you’re unsure what your child, a family member, or even you yourself are consuming, bring it to us. We will have it tested and let you know,” he said.
Both Chase and Abrahams underscored that the combination of easy availability, deceptive packaging, and the serious mental and physical side effects of semi-synthetic cannabinoids, make them a growing public health threat in Barbados. (SB)
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