*Disclaimer: Please note that parts of this English blog were automatically translated.*
You may have seen it in the news: in recent weeks, various authorities have raised the alarm following incidents involving young people using THC vapes [1]. Children have been vomiting, fainting at school, or even ending up in hospital. THC vapes seem to be a relatively new phenomenon in the Netherlands. Why have they suddenly become so popular, what do they actually contain, and – perhaps more importantly – why are they problematic?
E-cigarettes and nicotine vapes have long been popular among young people. They are often seen as a modern and less harmful alternative to smoking a cigarette or a joint. In addition, they often have pleasant flavours, which makes them even more appealing. THC vapes contain tetrahydrocannabinol, an active and psychoactive substance found in cannabis. The vape is easy to carry around and the smell is said to be less strong. They are also easy to obtain: through friends, social media, or online shops. This way, their use remains discreet and easier to hide from parents or teachers. While THC vapes have recently gained popularity in the Netherlands, they have been popular in the United States for years [2].
But why are these THC vapes so problematic?
Many young people think that a THC vape has the same effect as a joint. In reality, however, they often contain much higher concentrations of THC or even a synthetic variant of cannabis, also known as “Spice” [3]. These substances can be much more powerful and dangerous than “regular” cannabis. Young people often do not know exactly what they are using, and dosing is very difficult. Consequences range from anxiety, nausea and hallucinations to fainting, epileptic seizures or even psychosis [4]. Serious incidents, including deaths, have also been reported [5].
Addiction also plays a greater role. The high potency means that even a small amount can have a strong effect. This can also lead to the rapid development of tolerance, which in turn can increase the risk of dependence, making it more difficult to stop [3, 5]. Young people are at particular risk: their brains are still developing and appear to be more susceptible to memory and learning problems with intensive use. Heavy and regular use during this period is also associated with the development of addiction and a decline in IQ [6].
These problems with THC vapes are exacerbated by a market with an increasing number of substances of varying strengths, which also appear to be becoming more concentrated. This is difficult to regulate for both Spice and other designer drugs. New variants of these substances are constantly appearing on the market, such as the synthetic cannabinoids sold under the name Spice, which are easy to order online and whose exact composition is often unknown. As a result, legislation and policy often lag behind technological developments. The good news is that entire groups of designer drugs, including synthetic cannabis, have been banned since 1 July 2025 [5], although this does not mean that their use has stopped.
In summary
THC vapes are popular because of their convenience, discretion, and modern and (unjustified) healthier image. But the risks are high, as demonstrated not only by recent incidents in the Netherlands but also by international developments. If policy and enforcement lag behind or fall short, the question remains for us as a society – parents, schools, friends – how to deal with the emergence of these new types of drugs.
This blog was written by Joëlle Schokker (Radboud University Nijmegen) for RAD-blog, the blog about smoking, alcohol, drugs and diet.
References
[1] NOS. (2025, 11 september). Zorginstanties slaan alarm om gebruik THC-vape onder scholieren. NOS Nieuws. https://nos.nl/artikel/2582008-zorginstanties-slaan-alarm-om-gebruik-thc-vape-onder-scholieren.
[2] Chung, J., Lim, C. C., Stjepanović, D., Hall, W., Connor, J. P., & Chan, G. C. (2025). Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021–2023): Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabinoids. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 107655.
[3] Van Amsterdam, J., Niesink, R., & Brunt, T. (2014). De gezondheidsrisico’s van Spice-gebruik. Bilthoven: Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) / Utrecht: Trimbos-instituut. https://www.rivm.nl/sites/default/files/2018-11/Gezondheidsrisico%27s%20van%20Spice-gebruik.pdf.
[4] Trimbos-instituut. (z.d.). Wat is synthetische wiet? (Synthetische cannabinoïden, K2, spice). DRUGSinfo. Geraadpleegd op 18 september 2025, van https://www.drugsinfo.nl/overige-middelen/wat-zijn-synthetische-cannabinoiden/
[5] Jellinek. (2025, september). Wat zijn synthetische cannabinoïden (Spice) en wat zijn de risico’s? Geraadpleegd op 18 september 2025, van https://www.jellinek.nl/vraag-antwoord/wat-is-spice/
[6] Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. B. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219–2227. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1402309
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