Minister Curran welcomes decision to ban products sold in Headshops

Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy John Curran T.D. welcomes decision to ban products sold in Headshops

Products known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, Magic, Liquid Ecstacy, BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone are all to be banned by June according to Minister of State John Curran T.D.

Welcoming the Government’s decision Minister Curran said: “I am delighted that Government has given the Department of Health the go ahead to ban a range of dangerous substances that have been freely on sale in Headshops.

Products known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone, have all been added to a list for banning in Ireland. The substance Mephedrone has not yet been banned in the US or the UK and I am satisfied that Ireland is leading the way in tackling this problem head on.

The Government will notify the EU of this list and by June these products will be illegal for sale or possession.

We have seen the proliferation of headshops across the country in recent months. My Department is currently looking at other measures to regulate this industry by way of planning laws and consumer laws.

In addition the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the Gardaí will continue to monitor products that are sold in Headshops. Any product that proves to have any detrimental health affects will be added to this controlled list for banning,” concluded Minister Curran.