Andrius Bogusas loses High Court challenge to THC ban

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Andrius Bogusas’s challenge to Ireland’s ban on THC products was dismissed by the High Court, reported on 9 November 2022. The case arose after Customs seized oils he had imported from Slovenia on 21 October 2020.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens found that Bogusas could not rely on EU free movement rules to import or sell hemp oil containing THC, or require the Minister for Health to revisit the restrictions. He also found that the evidence showed dangers associated with THC and that the current regulatory regime was justified.

The judge said Ireland’s law conformed with the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which precluded the State from permitting the sale Bogusas sought. The court dismissed the action.