Councillors discuss vape shops and cannabinoids

A LENGTHY discussion on the sale of cannabinoids in the council chamber was sparked by a motion tabled by Sinn Féin councillor Stiofán Conaty.

In the first part of his motion, Cllr Conaty said he wanted to “highlight the emergence of new legal synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoid products in vape shops in County Cavan”.

And the second part of the motion called for “the implementation of the recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use in respect to the legal status of cannabis”.

Addressing the chamber, Cllr Conaty said: “I expressed my reservations about an outright ban of HHC, fearing that we are failing to address the underlying issue, which is, always has been, and always will be, the demand for real cannabis.”

HHC or Hexahydrocannabinol is a new 'cannabinoid' that has emerged on European and Irish markets since 2022. It is banned here, by law, since July.

Cllr Conaty warned of “a game of whack-a-mole” in banning HHC because it could result in “new, untested and possibly more dangerous synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids emerging onto the market".

He called for a “mature conversation around cannabis use”.

The Sinn Féin rep said research conducted over the years show that "when people are properly informed, most inevitably fall on the side of decriminalisation”. He said he was “encouraged” to see that Fianna Fáil has joined Sinn Fein and other parties on the left in advocating for liberalisation.

At the end of his speech, Stiofán Conaty stressed he was not making a case for people using cannabis.

“What I am asking for,” he said, “is that we open up a debate and a mature conversation on the health-based and societal merits of decriminalisation, if not legislation.”

And he finished by saying: “I am asking that my colleagues and fellow councillors approach this issue with an open mind.”

Many councillors at the Cavan County Council meeting wanted speaking time on the issue.

First up was Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) who spoke of “a premises in town that looks like a candy store” and she described how the week previous she noticed loads of young people in school uniforms hanging around outside it. “And me being nosey,” she said, “I went to look at it.

“There was candy inside the door but there was also vapes further down the shop.”

She also saw signs advertising a “happy joint” for sale in the shop for €12.

“Head shops are being replaced by vape ones,” Cllr Walsh said appalled, before adding: “The fact that this looks like a candy shop. To me this is frightening.

“It’s not only sweet shops but fast-food shops as well. I have huge concerns about €12 happy joints,” she emphasised.

Independent councillor Shane P. O’Reilly took the floor next and said he “fully supports Councillor Conaty on every word he said”.

“The time is now to have an informed, adult conversation about the use of cannabis,” he said.

The father of five said he believes “vape shops are the scourge of the country” and he has “seen the effects of head shops on brilliant families in our county town”.

But he argued “if you regulate cannabis use, you take away the stigma, and that is why I fully support Cllr Conaty.

“We have to deal with this head on,” Cllr O’Reilly added, “It’s time now for legalisation and education.”

Vendetta

Councillor and publican Brendan Fay (Ind) said he has a “vendetta to get those vape shops closed” and told the chamber how he’s had to have the ‘some of your friends may not be your friends’ conversation with his 11 and 13-year-old children and recently gave his young teenager a phone for the first time.

“Synthetic cannabis is everywhere in Cavan,” Cllr Fay said. “Those shops in Cavan are an absolute disgrace. Gummies are being given to young children. I know people leaving our town (Belturbet) to go to Cavan to buy these products and it’s not vapes, because you can buy vapes in our town.

“Back in the '50s and '60s we were talking about cigarettes,” Brenan Fay continued. “Our kids and grandkids are going to ask us, ‘Why did you allow vape shops?’”

Meanwhile, Cllr Val Smith (FG) claimed that “a convenience shop beside me stopped selling pork on religious grounds but started selling these vapes".

And Cllr T.P. O’Reilly (FG) said he wasn’t sure if making it legal was the answer with the argument: “The more we liberalise things, the more fashionable it becomes.”

And, while he agreed “an open conversation has to be had”, he suggested “education and information is probably the best thing to do".

Bringing the discussion to a close, Cathoirleach of Cavan County Council and solicitor, John Paul Feeley (FF), conceded he hadn’t read all the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use but that he would “not recommend legal status for cannabis”.

Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) said he has followed the debate on cannabis for years and knows there are benefits in cannabis use for pain relief. He asked: “Can’t it be sold in pharmacies?”

To which Cllr Feeley said: “You used to be able to buy cocaine in pharmacies” and added that he doesn’t work too much on the courtside but revealed that he has seen drug use in his own family.

Cllr Conaty said he had received a backlash over his views but was “glad” Cavan County Council had the discussion. “It’s good to have an open debate,” he said.