In the UK, the same varieties, or cultivars, of cannabis plants exist in both the legal, pharmaceutical cannabis market and the illicit, street market. However, there are remarkable differences in how these plants are grown, who they are grown by, and how they are tested and regulated, to ensure the end user’s safety.
We spoke to Releaf, the UK’s all-in-one medical cannabis clinic about the three key differences between the legal medical cannabis cultivars (or strains) they can prescribe to patients in the UK, and the cannabis sold by ‘dealers’ on the street.
To read about the top ten hidden dangers associated with illicitly produced cannabis, read Releaf’s full blog post here.
- Unclear, inconsistent cultivation protocols
The first key difference between medical cannabis, and illicit cannabis, is the lack of clarity surrounding its cultivation. Unlike when medical cannabis is produced by pharmaceutical cultivators, there is no guarantee that cannabis purchased through the illicit market has been grown in a standardised way, or harvested at the most suitable time.
Cannabis plants produce its medicinal compounds, including cannabinoids like THC and CBD, and terpenes like myrcene, in its trichomes. Trichomes grow during the flower stages of the plant’s life and reach maturity at a particular time based on genetics and environmental conditions.
When cannabis is harvested and cured at the right time, it ensures the plant contains the highest volumes of terpenes and cannabinoids as possible, which maximises the plant’s therapeutic potential.
But, because the illicit production of cannabis is not regulated, or overseen by any regulatory or safeguarding body, there is no way of knowing the truth of when that particular batch of cannabis was harvested (which also means, its unknown when it will expire), or, how this has effected its terpene profile and its concentration of cannabinoids.
- No certificates of analysis
In the medical cannabis industry, producers of medical cannabis flowers lab-test every batch grown, and check the quality, efficacy, and safety of their products multiple times before it reaches a patient.
The results of these analysis tests, including information regarding the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes contained in these flowers, are displayed in the product, or medicines, certificate of analysis.
But, because street sourced cannabis is not regulated, or monitored, those sourcing cannabis through the illicit market are unaware of how much THC or CBD is contained in their cannabis, or what minor cannabinoids like CBG or CBN are present.
They also are unaware of what pesticides or contaminants their medication may have come into contact with, and, are unlikely to receive a refund if there are any issues in the quality of cannabis they receive.
- Unknown, illicit associations
Another hidden danger of cannabis sourced on the black market, or through illicit sources, is the lack of known associations. When cannabis is purchased from a street dealer, it’s difficult to know where that money is going, and, it’s likely to be funnelled into further criminal activities.
However, medical cannabis supply chains are heavily regulated. In the UK, medical cannabis can only be legally cultivated by those who hold Home Office licences, prescriptions for these products must be written by a qualifies doctor, and these products must be dispensed by a registered, and legitimate, pharmacy.
Whilst each one of these services will profit from the trade of medical cannabis, there is a guarantee that organised crime will not be profiting from patients, and these funds will not contribute to harmful or violent criminal activity.
Everyone who works in a legally licenced cannabis cultivation facility and owns a medical cannabis company is heavily audited for their suitability to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Background checks with links to criminal activity or history, money laundering and fraud are carried out on all staff to provide reassurance to government and international regulators that drug laws and conventions are being adhered to.
Final Thoughts
While the medical cannabis and street cannabis originate from the same plant, the differences in their regulation, cultivation, and safety are significant.
Street cannabis lacks the same effective safeguards that regulate the medical, pharmaceutical industry, and poses risks due to its legality, uncertain cultivation practices, absence of quality and safety controls, and, its potential links to criminal activities.
