Legal

High Court test case over zero tolerance policy for cannabis-based products refused

Business owners in Ireland have claimed there is confusion over the legality of products containing cannabidiol (CBD) with some reporting that their products are regularly subjected to seizures

There are at least three other High Court cases being taken by business owners challenging the legality of Irish drug legislation in relation to CBD products which contain trace amounts of THC. Picture: Getty

A test case challenging Ireland’s zero-tolerance policy for cannabis-based products with trace levels of a psychoactive compound has been refused.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens said criminalising possession of even minute quantities of controlled drugs for the purpose of supply was a “reasonable legislative approach” which ensured “maximum protection” to the public from dangers associated with narcotic drugs.

The case centred on vials of hemp oil which were seized in October 2021 and were found to ...