By James Simons-
Most cannabis being sold illegally in the UK is super-strength skunk linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes, according to an analysis of 995 samples seized by the police suggests.
The skunk examined by the researchers from King’s College London was high potency – about 14% THC. Previous work by the King’s College 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 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 analyzed police seizures of cannabis from London, Kent, Derbyshire, Merseyside and Sussex in 2005, 2008 and again in 2016. Skunk was the prevailing street drug over the time period, while the availability of weaker cannabis resin went down – from 43% in 2005 and 14% in 2008 to 6% in 2016.
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. Skunk, made 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.
The skunk examined by the researchers from King’s College London was high potency – about 14% THC.
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Previous work by the King’s College 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.
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.
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 analyzed 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.
THC levels in skunk remained fairly constant over the decade.