Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1511791
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 NOVEMBER 2023 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The scientific community has long rec- ognised that HHC is a cousin of THC, but until recently, HHC was not popular among cannabis users. But today, HHC products in Malta have become increasingly accessible to local and foreign users, with numerous out- lets even selling them on the main food courier platforms, Bolt and Wolt. These products are also increasingly present in several retail shops, with a 24-hour vend- ing machine in Żejtun also selling a wide variety of HHC goods. The lack of regu- lation means children can potentially buy the products, which come in attractive packaging that can be easily mistaken for normal edible products. The substance is currently present in 20 EU member states and is not controlled in most of them, however its sale was banned in France last June. HHC's local popularity is also evident in the fact that some outlets are finding it difficult to keep up with their demand, according to one retail worker who spoke to this newspaper. MaltaToday also spoke to Dr Godwin Sammut, scientific officer with the Facul- ty of Science in the University of Malta, and he explained that HHC research is still in its adolescence. While acknowledging the broadly sim- ilar effects between HHC and THC products, Sammut explained that "the pharmacology and toxicology of HHC in humans has not yet been studied and is still relatively new, therefore data is very limited." When one takes HHC's accessibility in- to consideration, this can be worrisome, Sammut added. "Since the production of HHC does not necessarily comply with Good Manufacturing Practices, contam- inants either with extraction residues or synthetic by-products could pose unfore- seen risks." However, when asked whether he be- lieves it makes sense to have an unregu- lated market for HHC alongside a regu- lated THC market, Sammut said "it does make sense at this stage". "We are still learning on the long-term effects of THC let alone a new product such as HHC where not even the short- term effects have yet been studied in de- tail," Sammut said. He said the presence of regulation in the THC market does not imply that the sub- stances are safe. Even a regulated market cannot be considered completely safe, Sammut added. MaltaToday reached out to ARUC on the issue but no replies were received. This newspaper asked if HHC products are regulated in any way, or if the author- ity intends to expand its remit in the fu- ture. Numerous outlets selling HHC products on the main food courier platforms This campaign is coordinated by Transport Malta and part-financed by the European Union's European Regional Development Fund, Operational Programme 1 2014-2020 www.transport.gov.mt UPGRADED FERRY LANDING PLACES Connecting Valletta, Cottonera, and Tas-Sliema, with upgraded facilities. That's right - commuters can now enjoy more comfortable amenities at the ferry places. Choose a reliable, efficient, and alternative way to travel between these busy areas. Vending machine selling HHC products