The Hidden Dangers of Illicit Cannabis

Sutcliffe, Oliver B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3781-7754, Erridge, Simon and Martinez, Juan (2024) The Hidden Dangers of Illicit Cannabis. Research Report. Curaleaf International.

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Abstract

Curaleaf Clinic provides patients with the highest standard of medical cannabis care, backed by science. With illicit cannabis becoming more accessible, especially online, highlighting the risks of unregulated products is crucial. The unchecked growth of the illicit cannabis market poses significant threats to public health, and it is our responsibility to shed light on the hidden dangers associated with these products. Our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University has revealed alarming contamination levels in illicit cannabis, including mould, yeasts, bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical residues, highlighting the potential health risks associated with these products. We have previously published research that estimated 1.8 million patients in the UK self-treat diagnosed health conditions with illicit cannabis. This report serves as a crucial resource, informing the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the dangers of unregulated cannabis. We aim to empower consumers with knowledge, enabling them to make informed choices about their health. By advocating for the use of regulated cannabis products by suitable patients and supporting the growth of a responsible medical cannabis industry, we strive to protect individuals from the harmful effects of contaminated illicit cannabis. Through this report, we hope to spark a dialogue about the importance of cannabis safety and encourage a shift towards responsible consumption. By promoting accountability in the cannabis industry, we can collectively work towards safeguarding public health and ensuring that suitable patients have access to medical cannabis that abides by the necessary standards.