IRELAND'S VERY first cannabis café has opened its doors to the public in Waterford City.
Blooms Café on 50 John Street sells a selection of vegan foods and coffee alongside cannabis which has tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels below the legal limit of 0.2%.
Though the cannabis sold at Blooms contains little in the way of THC it does boast high levels of cannabidiol.
Cannabidiol has been linked with a variety of health benefits including pain relief, while it has been noted for its anti-seizure properties and for combating anxiety and insomnia.
"High CBD strains are perfect for those who want a relaxing and calming experience but do not want the mind-altering effects that are caused by THC, the compound found in illegal cannabis," the café's Facebook page explains.
"CBD does not impair mental function or increase heart rate and is non-toxic. It is proven not to be addictive, it is natural to our bodies and natural to every climate on the planet.
"It is ideal for the fast-moving society that we live in and it can be understood to be like aromatherapy or herbology. It is a plant that is full of beautiful flavonoids and terpenes like lavender or limonene etc."
Anyone expecting an Amsterdam-style coffee shop experience, however, could be left disappointed.
Customers are expressly prohibited from smoking cannabis in or around the café.
They are, however, able to purchase and consume cannabis-infused coffee at Blooms, meaning they can benefit from the herb's medicinal and, in this instance, entirely legal, properties.
Blooms specially grown legal low-level THC cannabis can also be purchased online for delivery or directly from the shop.
"We specialise in high-quality cannabis and coffee," a description on the café's Facebook page states.
"We have strong ethics for the Earth and its habitants, so we only serve vegan food and organically grown cannabis.
"We ship to any country where CBD is legal, and will constantly be adding new strains to our menu."
In addition to promoting the medicinal benefits of cannabis, Blooms includes the following in their social media profile:
"We are not medical professionals and do not make health claims about our products. If you have an underlying health condition, please consult a medical professional."
