Worries over children using 'cannabis vapes' in Bradford
Police and officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards have raised concerns
The rising use of cannabis vapes has been described as a “threat to the younger generation” in Bradford.
Police and officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards were discussing the use of the product during a licensing meeting where it emerged that a box of illegal cannabis vapes were found in a Bradford shop that was frequented by young people.
Members of the Licensing Panel were told that cannabis vapes were a rising problem in the region – as they provide a way for people to take cannabis without being detected.
This makes them particularly attractive to young people.
THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive substance of cannabis – the part of the drug that gets users high.
Vapes are now available where THC is the main ingredient.
These THC vapes are odourless – meaning it is less obvious people are smoking an illegal drug, and can lead to a quicker high for users.
In the UK THC vapes are illegal for recreational purposes.
But they are still sold in some shops, and there have been fears that the THC in these illicit businesses could have been mixed with synthetic drugs like Spice.
One local drug charity says vaping THC can seem more “low-key” than smoking a joint or bong, and so users may not realise how much of the drug they are consuming until it is too late.
The issue was raised during a licence review of 103 Saffron Drive, a shop most recently known as Allerton Off Licence.
The business is in a parade of shops opposite St Matthews Catholic Primary School.
The shop was raided by police and Trading Standards in October, and officers found 237 packets of illicit cigarettes, bags of suspected cannabis behind the counter, weighing scales with cannabis residue on them and a cannister of nitrous oxide.
The raid also uncovered “a box of suspected vapes containing pure cannabis.”
Police had described the business as “a hub of criminality and a blight on the local community.”
After hearing details of the raid, panel member Councillor Joanne Dodds (Lab, Great Horton) said: “These cannabis vapes sound like they could be quite dangerous.”
Adele Woodward from West Yorkshire Trading Standards told the panel that liquid THC was now regularly being used in vapes and e – cigarettes.
She said: “This is appealing to children because it is odourless. It is seen as a good alternative to cannabis as they can use it anywhere.
“These are relatively new, and they have become quite a concern due to the hospitalisation of youths that have taken them in some areas.
“They seem to be on the rise, and a threat to the younger generation.
“Some of these vapes have been found to contain traces of Spice as well.
“These are unregulated and illegal.”
She told members there had been instances where ambulances had been called to schools after children had taken cannabis vapes on the playground.
The panel decided to revoke the business’ alcohol licence.
Forward Leeds, a drug support group for people in West Yorkshire, has a section on their website about the use of THC vapes.
It says: “The main risk with THC vapes is that you don’t always know what’s in it. Most things sold as THC vapes don’t actually contain THC, instead, they may contain synthetic cannabinoids like spice or synthetic opioids like nitizines.
“These can be really dangerous and even lead to overdose.
“Some people have even ended up with lung damage from nasty and dodgy vape juices.
“Unlike smoking cannabis vaping is lowkey and convenient so you might not realise how much you’re actually using.
“More THC will have more of an impact on your physical and mental health the long-term effects are still a mystery since vaping is relatively new scientists aren’t really sure about the long-term effects on your body.”
National drug support site Talk To Frank has a similar message, saying: “Vaping an oil or other liquid that you think is cannabis is risky, and there have been several reports recently of people being hospitalised after doing so.
“The effects (of THC vapes) can be unpleasant or even dangerous, especially when people have a few puffs quickly before they know how strong it is, or what effect it’s having on them.”