Estonia to ban new dangerous cannabis substances

TALLINN - The Ministry of Social Affairs is adding the group of semi-synthetic cannabinoids to the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances to curb the spread and availability of these dangerous substances and prevent the health problems they cause.

Henceforth, all activities related to this substance group-such as possession, mediation, consumption, cultivation, manufacturing, storage, keeping, import, and export-will be prohibited in Estonia. The change primarily affects individuals who order semi-synthetic cannabinoids from abroad or use them, as well as companies that have been selling these products. The amendment will take effect on August 14 of this year.

The amendment will also affect the work of the Police and Border Guard Board and the Tax and Customs Board, as it will allow for a faster response to the discovery of new semi-synthetic cannabinoids and their removal from the market.

"New semi-synthetic cannabinoids are entering the market very quickly, and this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Whereas until now these substances have been banned one by one, we are now banning the entire substance group. This allows us to prevent the problem from worsening, react more quickly to the spread of new dangerous substances, and better protect public health," said Kristiin Mikko, an advisor at the Public Health Department.

She added that the use of these narcotic substances carries serious health risks, including poisoning, anxiety, mental health disorders, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Semi-synthetic cannabinoids are chemically modified forms of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant that mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); however, this category does not include CBD products (such as CBD-containing oils and teas). Semi-synthetic cannabinoids appeared on the European market in 2022 and began to be sold as a legal alternative to cannabis and THC. While initially there were only a few such substances, by the end of 2024, 24 different semi-synthetic cannabinoids had already been identified on the European drug market.

These substances are distributed in various forms: in e-cigarette liquids, as cannabis flowers or substances sprayed onto them, in herbal mixtures, as resin-like products, and in sweets, such as gummies and chocolates. Their inclusion in sweets is particularly concerning as it increases the risk of accidental poisoning among children.

In Estonia, semi-synthetic cannabinoids have also been found in the possession of private individuals and in postal shipments from abroad.

Until now, Estonia has added individual semi-synthetic cannabinoids to the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances. As new substances continuously enter the market, banning the entire substance group will allow for a faster response, more effectively curb their spread, and ultimately reduce related health damage and crime.

Semi-synthetic cannabinoids are chemically modified compounds that mimic the effects of THC. They entered the European market in 2022. By the end of 2024, 24 different semi-synthetic cannabinoids had already been identified on the European drug market. In Estonia, they have been discovered both in the possession of private individuals and in postal shipments. Adding the entire group of semi-synthetic cannabinoids to the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances will allow for a quicker and more effective curbing of the spread of new dangerous substances.