Dangerous New Synthetic Cannabis Found In Weed Sold In Malta, University Lab Warns As Seven Hospitalised
A new synthetic drug known as CC9 or HHC-C9 has been detected in herbal material sold locally as cannabis, the Forensic Analysis Laboratory at the University of Malta has warned following news of seven people being hospitalised because of the “dangerous cannabis edible products”.
The compound—a semi-synthetic cannabinoid—was found during testing of multiple herbal samples submitted to the lab, which were packaged in colourful wrappers and labelled with names referencing THC.
Lab analysis confirmed the presence of several psychoactive substances including 9-HHC, delta-9-THC, delta-9-THCH, and CC9, a compound recently linked to acute poisonings in Italy. That case, reported by the EU Drugs Agency, involved e-cigarettes and gummies purchased online and consumed by a patient who required medical treatment.
This is the first confirmed detection of CC9 in Malta, and comes amid rising concerns about synthetic cannabinoids being sold as cannabis or cannabis-like products, often under misleading labels like “For Research Purposes Only” or “Not For Human Consumption”.
Meanwhile, the Medical Association of Malta revealed that seven people have been treated in hospital in the last five days after consuming the cannabis products, with patients suffering extreme drowsiness for over 24 hours, vomiting, vision problems and liver damage.
The products involved edibles such as gummies, cakes and cookies.
Why synthetic cannabinoids are more dangerous
CC9 is part of a broader group of synthetic cannabinoids—lab-made chemicals that interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, just like THC does in natural cannabis, but in a much more potent and unpredictable way.
Unlike plant-based cannabis, these substances can bind more strongly to cannabinoid receptors, making their effects more intense and harder to control.
They are also largely untested in humans, meaning very little is known about how they affect the body long term, or how to treat people who react badly to them. High doses, especially in edibles or vapes, can increase the risk of serious adverse effects.
Sold as weed, but not quite
The herbal material tested by the lab was sold in packets designed to mimic regular cannabis products. The fact that the CC9 was added to plant matter makes it harder for buyers to tell what they are actually consuming.
The University of Malta’s Forensic Analysis Lab has urged the public to be cautious when purchasing herbal material or edibles from unverified sources—especially products that use vague disclaimers and have no labelling transparency.
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