More than 1.450 preparations of medicinal and narcotic cannabis substances, including jellies and cookies containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), weighing a total of 29 kilograms, were seized by the Police in 2024 and the first month of 2025 from commercial stores in Cyprus, the Deputy Commander of Administration and Operations of the National Cannabis Control Authority, Christos Andreou, told CNA, warning that consuming such products orally is dangerous and can cost lives.
As Mr. Andreou reported, people who in the recent past consumed such products orally, in the form of lozenges, were hospitalized with various symptoms from their use, while their lives were also at risk.
According to Christos Andreou, people should be aware of the "risk", because as he explained, minors may also be found using it.
Asked about the symptoms from the use of such products, the Deputy Commander of Administration and Operations of the National Institute of Emergency Medicine said that their use causes lethargic drowsiness and a drop in the level of consciousness, while noting that their use even once "can lead to hospitalization."
Dozens of store investigations and criminal prosecutions
Specifically, Mr. Andreou said that in 2024 several investigations had been conducted and 2.142 preparations had been identified, of which approximately 1.800 concerned the substances contained in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while he noted that during the first month of 2025, 673 preparations with the same substances had been identified.
He also noted that in the last year, dozens of searches were carried out in stores across Cyprus, with the Police proceeding with criminal prosecutions of the persons selling them, while in January 2025, a total of five searches were carried out and a person who had displayed such products for sale was also brought to court.
Furthermore, he reported that the authorities seized 29 kilograms of jellies and cookies containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Not everything is illegal
Responding to a relevant question, the Commander of the Hellenic Anti-Corruption Commission clarified that not all products are illegal, noting that it always depends on the substance contained in them.
He explained that products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are classified as pharmaceutical products and their marketing requires the issuance of a marketing authorization.
Any commercial activity, including wholesale and sale to the public, without the required permits, is prohibited, he stressed.
In relation to products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), he said that they are prohibited.
He noted that operations are always carried out in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Services and the Intellectual Property Theft Crimes Branch of the Electronic Crimes Unit of the Police Headquarters.
Increased drug seizures in 2024
Moreover, in relation to drug seizures in 2024, Mr. Andreou reported that there was an increase in Cyprus compared to 2023.
He reported to CNA that in 2024, 617 kilograms of cannabis, 54 kilograms of cocaine, 696 tablets of Ecstasy pills, as well as 34 kilograms of the new drug, called Khat, which was detected for the first time in Cyprus last year and concerns the plant substance Kathine, were seized.
Source: KYPE
