The Medical Association of Malta on Thursday expressed its deep concern about dangerous new cannabis edible products such as cannabis gummies, cakes, and cookies that have sent multiple people to hospital with serious symptoms.

Several patients have required urgent medical care at Mater Dei Hospital over the past few weeks after consuming cannabis edibles, particularly those containing a substance called "CC9." Symptoms included extreme drowsiness lasting for over 24 hours, vomiting, vision problems, and liver damage, MAM said.

These products are being sold with misleading "NOT for human consumption" labels while clearly being marketed for exactly that purpose. MAM condemns this dangerous practice - these substances completely bypass the rigorous safety testing and clinical trials required by European Medicines Agency regulations, putting consumers at serious risk.

Traditional cannabis already carries health risks, but these new products represent an even greater danger due to their unpredictable potency and the difficulty in detecting them through standard medical tests, the union said.

MAM emphasised that cannabis consumption significantly impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Furthermore, substantial scientific evidence links cannabis use to serious mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and in some cases, psychosis, particularly among young and vulnerable users.

Cannabis related impairment creates serious public safety risks, particularly when operating vehicles or heavy machinery. The prolonged impairment from these new edible products is especially concerning as effects may last much longer than users anticipate.

MAM called for immediate government action to remove these dangerous products from sale and hold accountable those who profit from putting public health at risk.