This is an English translation. The original Dutch article is authoritative.
Reports have recently circulated about blue-coloured hashish in which a synthetic cannabinoid was allegedly found. According to the reports, the hashish was bought in the Netherlands and later analysed by a foreign laboratory. In response to these reports we contacted the Trimbos Institute. At present there are no indications of large-scale contamination of cannabis products. Such signals must be taken seriously, but also assessed carefully. The Trimbos Institute has indicated that the laboratory result being shared cannot currently be verified by them. The laboratory said to have performed the analysis is unknown to them. The substance name mentioned is also currently unknown to international organisations or chemical databases. That does not mean the signal should be ignored, but it does mean caution is needed when drawing conclusions.
According to the Trimbos Institute, there are currently no indications that contamination of cannabis with synthetic cannabinoids is occurring on a large scale, either inside or outside coffeeshops. There is therefore no reason at present to speak of an established or widespread problem in the Dutch coffeeshop sector.
The sector has dealt with contaminated cannabis products before. In the autumn of 2020, DIMS at the Trimbos Institute issued a Red Alert warning for cannabis and hashish found to be contaminated with the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-4en-PINACA. That warning applied to cannabis products found both inside and outside coffeeshops. The substance can act much more strongly than natural THC and can therefore cause unexpected and serious symptoms.
That situation showed how important it is for signals to be picked up quickly, carefully and through the right channels. Cooperation between the parties involved meant that contaminated products could be removed from the market at the time. It is precisely for this reason that the agreements made then remain in force.
Coffeeshop operators continue to be alert to reports from consumers who experience striking or worrying symptoms after using cannabis. These are symptoms that clearly deviate from what can normally be expected with cannabis, such as severe anxiety or paranoia, dizziness, heart palpitations or other unexpected effects. In such cases the consumer can be referred to the drug-testing service at www.drugs-test.nl or to dims@trimbos.nl.
Many operators still have cannabis products tested and remain alert to unusual signals. That alertness is important. Coffeeshop operators do not have to determine themselves whether synthetic cannabinoids are involved, but they can take signals seriously and point consumers with unusual symptoms to the right channel. The experience of 2020 shows that coffeeshops can play an important role in this. Operators acted quickly at the time and helped ensure that contaminated cannabis products were removed from the market. If concrete information becomes available now about a possibly contaminated product, a laboratory result or several similar symptoms, that information can be shared with the Trimbos Institute. It can then be assessed whether further investigation or action is needed.
It remains important to note that, within the current framework of the Dutch drug-testing service, cannabis cannot be tested preventively before use. The option to have cannabis analysed applies to situations where a consumer has experienced unusual or worrying symptoms after use. Testing is anonymous and is intended for the consumer.
We will continue to follow the situation. The existing line and agreements remain in force. Take signals seriously, refer consumers with unusual symptoms to the correct testing service, share concrete information with the Trimbos Institute, and avoid unnecessary alarm based on information that has not yet been verified.