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| Most UK cannabis 'super strength skunk' | Most UK cannabis 'super strength skunk' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Most cannabis being sold illegally in the UK is super-strength skunk linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes, an analysis of 995 samples seized by the police suggests. | Most cannabis being sold illegally in the UK is super-strength skunk linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes, an analysis of 995 samples seized by the police suggests. |
| In 2016, 94% of police seizures were high-potency marijuana, compared to 85% in 2008 and 51% in 2005. | In 2016, 94% of police seizures were high-potency marijuana, compared to 85% in 2008 and 51% in 2005. |
| The drug contains more of the psychoactive ingredient THC than some other types of cannabis, such as hash. | The drug contains more of the psychoactive ingredient THC than some other types of cannabis, such as hash. |
| Researchers from King's College London say users should be warned of this. | Researchers from King's College London say users should be warned of this. |
| Types of cannabis | Types of cannabis |
| There are three main types of street cannabis - hash (hashish or resin), herbal cannabis (weed, grass or marijuana) and high-potency cannabis or skunk. | There are three main types of street cannabis - hash (hashish or resin), herbal cannabis (weed, grass or marijuana) and high-potency cannabis or skunk. |
| Hash is made from the resin of the plant, while herbal cannabis is made from the dried leaves and flowering parts of pollinated cannabis plants. | Hash is made from the resin of the plant, while herbal cannabis is made from the dried leaves and flowering parts of pollinated cannabis plants. |
| Skunk is made from from unpollinated cannabis plants which naturally contain higher levels of THC - the substance that gives recreational users the 'stoned' feelings they seek from the drug, but can also cause nasty side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations. | Skunk is made from from unpollinated cannabis plants which naturally contain higher levels of THC - the substance that gives recreational users the 'stoned' feelings they seek from the drug, but can also cause nasty side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations. |
| Hash and herbal cannabis are considered to be milder than skunk. That's because they contain higher levels of a substance called CBD (cannabidiol) which experts say works as an anti-psychotic and counteracts some of the negative effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). | Hash and herbal cannabis are considered to be milder than skunk. That's because they contain higher levels of a substance called CBD (cannabidiol) which experts say works as an anti-psychotic and counteracts some of the negative effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). |
| How risky is skunk? | How risky is skunk? |
| It's argued that cannabis with high levels of THC and no or very low CBD can lead to people developing psychiatric issues. | It's argued that cannabis with high levels of THC and no or very low CBD can lead to people developing psychiatric issues. |
| The skunk examined by the researchers from King's College London was high potency - about 14% THC. | The skunk examined by the researchers from King's College London was high potency - about 14% THC. |
| Previous work by the same team, based on a study of 780 people, suggests the risk of psychosis is three times higher for users of potent "skunk-like" cannabis than for non-users. | Previous work by the same team, based on a study of 780 people, suggests the risk of psychosis is three times higher for users of potent "skunk-like" cannabis than for non-users. |
| The use of hash, a milder form of the drug, was not associated with increased risk of psychosis. | The use of hash, a milder form of the drug, was not associated with increased risk of psychosis. |
| According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, there is sufficient evidence to show that people who use cannabis, particularly at a younger age, such as around the age of 15, have a higher than average risk of developing a psychotic illness, including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. | According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, there is sufficient evidence to show that people who use cannabis, particularly at a younger age, such as around the age of 15, have a higher than average risk of developing a psychotic illness, including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. |
| What did the study find? | What did the study find? |
| The researchers say their latest work, published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis, is the first comprehensive survey of cannabis strength published in the UK for nearly a decade. | The researchers say their latest work, published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis, is the first comprehensive survey of cannabis strength published in the UK for nearly a decade. |
| They analysed police seizures of cannabis from London, Kent, Derbyshire, Merseyside and Sussex in 2005, 2008 and again in 2016. | They analysed police seizures of cannabis from London, Kent, Derbyshire, Merseyside and Sussex in 2005, 2008 and again in 2016. |
| Skunk was the dominant street drug over this time period, while the availability of weaker cannabis resin went down - from 43% in 2005 and 14% in 2008, to 6% in 2016. | Skunk was the dominant street drug over this time period, while the availability of weaker cannabis resin went down - from 43% in 2005 and 14% in 2008, to 6% in 2016. |
| THC levels in skunk remained fairly constant over the decade. | THC levels in skunk remained fairly constant over the decade. |
| Cannabis and the law | Cannabis and the law |
| Cannabis is a Class B drug - it's illegal to possess, give away or sell. | Cannabis is a Class B drug - it's illegal to possess, give away or sell. |
| Possession is illegal whatever you're using it for, including pain relief. The penalty for possession is up to five years in prison. | Possession is illegal whatever you're using it for, including pain relief. The penalty for possession is up to five years in prison. |
| Supplying can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine. Giving it to friends, even if they don't pay, is considered as supplying. | Supplying can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine. Giving it to friends, even if they don't pay, is considered as supplying. |
| According to Home Office statistics, cannabis was the most commonly used drug in 2016/17, with 6.6% of adults aged 16 to 59 having used it in the last year. That's around 2.2 million people. | According to Home Office statistics, cannabis was the most commonly used drug in 2016/17, with 6.6% of adults aged 16 to 59 having used it in the last year. That's around 2.2 million people. |
| What about medicinal cannabis? | What about medicinal cannabis? |
| A cannabis-based drug called Sativex has been licensed in the UK to treat MS. It contains THC and CBD. | A cannabis-based drug called Sativex has been licensed in the UK to treat MS. It contains THC and CBD. |
| Doctors could, in theory, prescribe it for other things outside of this licence, but at their own risk. | Doctors could, in theory, prescribe it for other things outside of this licence, but at their own risk. |
| MS patients prescribed Sativex, who resupply it to other people, also face prosecution. | MS patients prescribed Sativex, who resupply it to other people, also face prosecution. |
| Another licensed treatment is Nabilone. It contains an artificial version of THC and can be given to cancer patients to help relieve nausea during chemotherapy. | Another licensed treatment is Nabilone. It contains an artificial version of THC and can be given to cancer patients to help relieve nausea during chemotherapy. |
| Cannabis oil is a type of medical cannabis that has made the headlines most recently in the UK because of the case of Alfie Dingley, a young boy with severe epilepsy who can suffer up to 30 violent seizures a day. | Cannabis oil is a type of medical cannabis that has made the headlines most recently in the UK because of the case of Alfie Dingley, a young boy with severe epilepsy who can suffer up to 30 violent seizures a day. |
| His mother, Hannah Deacon, has been fighting for the courts to allow her son, who is six, to get the treatment in Britain. | His mother, Hannah Deacon, has been fighting for the courts to allow her son, who is six, to get the treatment in Britain. |
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