The introduction of control mechanisms has mitigated the spread of semi-synthetic cannabinoids that started to appear after 2020

• After 2020 and 2021, semi-synthetic cannabinoids, in particular delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) have appeared on the market mostly in the United States of America and in Western and Central Europe. The substances have been sold on legal and illegal markets in multiple forms.
• The marketed forms of some semi-synthetic cannabinoids (for example, bright-coloured gummies) have attracted the attention of young people and children leading to poisonings.
• The introduction of national and international control mechanisms has led to a reduction of availability of these substances, but they continue to be used.
• A host of alternative, chemically related substances continue to appear on the market, therefore continued monitoring and vigilance is needed.