New research has revealed that up to 90% of illegal cannabis samples tested in the UK contain dangerous contaminants, including mold, yeast, lead, E. coli, and even salmonella.
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The data comes from multiple sources, like lab tests on 60 cannabis samples seized by law enforcement in Greater Manchester and Northumbria, consumer surveys, and insights from the Welsh Emerging Drugs database (WEDINOS).
This study was conducted by Curaleaf Clinic, which is owned by Curaleaf International, a subsidiary of the U.S. cannabis company Curaleaf Holdings, in partnership with researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University. The team’s findings raise a major red flag: Curaleaf Clinic noted "alarming levels of contamination," urging action from the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
The Contamination Crisis
WEDINOS reviewed a huge database of 33,726 samples, including 1,635 that buyers thought were cannabis. Shockingly, 43% of these didn’t contain any real cannabis compounds, meaning they weren’t derived from the plant. Instead, 38% had harmful substances, while 27% contained synthetic chemicals like Spice or K2, which mimic the effects of cannabis but are far riskier. These synthetic chemicals can lead to serious health issues, including heart rhythm changes, vomiting, behavioral issues, and even death.
In collaboration with Opinium, Curaleaf Clinic also surveyed 500 U.K. cannabis consumers, finding that up to 35% of users are self-medicating with illegal marijuana for diagnosed conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Another 23% reported using it to manage undiagnosed or self-diagnosed issues. Regular use was also high: 35% buy illegal weed weekly, and 21% buy it monthly. Despite this, 66% of these consumers aren’t aware of the potential health risks.
“What Are You Smoking?”
Dr. Simon Erridge, research director at Curaleaf Clinic, emphasized the dangers: “It is crucial for consumers to be aware of the hidden dangers in illegal cannabis, especially as so many people are buying it to manage health issues which could be exacerbated by these hazardous substances.” He noted that although medical marijuana has been legal in the UK for six years, it's rarely available through the NHS except in severe cases, leaving many people to risk their health unnecessarily.
This lack of NHS access for conditions like chronic pain is especially challenging for families who struggle to afford medical cannabis on their own. A recent study suggests that allowing medical cannabis prescriptions for chronic pain on the NHS could save the healthcare system nearly £4 billion annually.
To spotlight the contamination issue, Curaleaf has launched a public health campaign called "What Are You Smoking?" featuring billboards on mobile "ad vans" that drive through known drug-dealing hotspots. They’ve also placed biodegradable QR code stickers that link to information on the risks of unregulated cannabis, aiming to educate consumers on what might really be in their products.
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