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Dangerous synthetic cannabinoid found in cannabis buds sold legally in Luxembourg

Cannabis buds marketed as containing THCA are being sold in Luxembourg through a company specialising in hemp products, raising questions about legality and safety. While CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound permitted under strict conditions, THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is a precursor to THC, the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. Though THCA itself does not produce a ‘high’ in its raw form, it converts into THC when heated. We conducted a sample test and notified the relevant authorities as well as the company that distributed the product.

These types of products have been available abroad for several years, often taking advantage of THCA’s non‑psychoactive status despite its easy conversion into THC when smoked, baked, or vaporised. In some jurisdictions, this places THCA in a legal grey area, but this is not the case in Luxembourg.

Upon our request for comment, the Ministry of Health said it was not aware of THCA products being sold in Luxembourg, adding: “Products containing THC are classified as narcotics and are therefore illegal.” The Ministry of Economy, on the other hand, stated that cannabis products are subject to strict regulation, especially when containing THC, and that this also applies to THCA. Their sale, possession, or distribution is prohibited, except in strictly regulated cases such as medical use or domestic cultivation of cannabis. The tobacco tax stamp found on the packaging is issued by the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED), the Ministry of the Economy clarified after the publication.

Also today

• Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Luxembourg has so far seen no negative impact on its tourism industry
• New data highlights significant wage disparities among Luxembourg’s cross-border workforce, with Belgian commuters earning the most and French workers trailing behind
• Trade unions OGBL and the LCGB have called on the government to take urgent action on rising fuel prices by introducing immediate measures to counter the impact on households
• Emmanuel Macron praised Europe’s “predictability” during a visit to Japan today
• Three men went on trial in Munich over allegations they had ties to an extremist group that plotted to overthrow the government and kidnap a minister.
• The US Supreme Court will hear a politically explosive case today over Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship
• A long-simmering debate over whether Alsace should regain regional powers – ten years after being merged into Grand Est – is set to reach the French National Assembly on 7 April

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Figure of the day

Amsterdam marks 25 years of gay marriage with weddings

• Amsterdam on Wednesday celebrated 25 years since same-sex weddings were legalised, with Rob Jetten, the first openly gay Dutch prime minister, as guest of honour. The Netherlands made history on April 1, 2001, when it became the world’s first country to legalise gay marriage.
• Nearly 36,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot in the quarter-century since, according to the Dutch statistics bureau. Three more made their solemn matrimonial vows shortly after midnight at a ceremony marking the milestone.

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