Cannabis: The science behind super-strength skunk

Most of the cannabis sold illegally in the UK is super-strength skunk that is linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes, says a new report.

Researchers from King's College London found that 94% of police seizures were high-potency marijuana in 2016, compared to 85% in 2008 and 51% in 2005.

So why is some cannabis so dangerously powerful? And what about claims of medical benefits?

Newsbeat spoke to two scientists who study the drug.

Remember these letters - THC and CBD

Cannabis plants contain a substance called Cannabigerol that forms three other compounds when the plant grows.

Two are really important when it comes to the impact of the drug on users.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is what gets people high. But at increased levels it's also linked to the risk of mental health issues.

The other substance is Cannabidiol, often referred to as CBD.

It acts as an anti-psychotic and counteracts some of the negative effects of THC.

Dr Amir Englund studies the effects of cannabis at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College in London

Dr Amir Englund, a cannabis scientist, explains that every cannabis plant produces both THC and CBD.

"They are both made from the same material so if you want more of one, it's going to cost you some of the other.

"In high-potency cannabis, sometimes called skunk, all the material is used to make THC, so there is no space for CBD."

Concerns about cannabis and mental health problems are linked to these two substances - and their intensity in different strains.

It's argued that cannabis with high levels of THC can lead to people developing psychiatric issues.

In studies looking at cannabis users with an existing vulnerability "we do see the risk of having psychotic episodes is higher," Dr Englund explains.

So does CBD balance out THC?

There is early evidence that CBD can protect against some of the negative effects of cannabis, Dr Englund explains.

"We have done studies that show adding CBD protects against some of the negative effects, such as memory impairment."

It also helps control the addictiveness of the drug and "psychotic-like symptoms".

"Introducing more CBD into cannabis will naturally reduce the level of THC, so that will likely be a benefit."

There are three main types of cannabis product

They are called hash, herbal cannabis and high-potency cannabis - often called skunk.

In hash, CBD levels are generally higher and THC tends to be low "with a relative ratio of one to one".

Herbal cannabis has lower levels of THC and CBD is usually low or not there at all.

High-potency cannabis contains high levels of THC and virtually no CBD.

The most potent type is the most common on UK streets

A new report says it makes up around 94% of the market in the UK.

"We are worried about these high potency concentrates that are becoming more prevalent," says Dr Englund.

He warns that it is now "easier to consume larger amounts of THC".

"The more THC you get into your system the greater the likelihood of something bad happening."

How dangerous is it?

People who smoke high-potency cannabis build up a tolerance, says Dr Englund, but "they may experience problems further down the line".

"Inexperienced users who consume a large amount of THC may feel sick, paranoid and quite anxious," he says.

"Those with a pre-existing mental health condition are most at risk."

A medical cannabis shop in Canada

Some who use cannabis for health reasons say it's transformative

Greg de Hoedt says it's been the best treatment for managing Crohns disease over the last seven years.

"I got access to medical grade cannabis oil that was suited to my condition.

"Within a month I was doing activities like walking up mountains and socialising in ways that I couldn't when I was bedridden."

Greg de Hoedt is president of the United Kingdom Cannabis Social Clubs

Dr Zameel Caderof from Oxford University is running a major study on cannabis for medical use.

He says de Hoedt's experience is "far from the evidence that we need" but it "does support that we should be researching that area further".

Dr Caderof's research focuses on cannabinoids. These are found naturally in cannabis plants and the human body.

His study is looking at whether these compounds can help treat diseases.

"The plant contains very many different types of compounds, each with very unique properties and what we need to do is understand what each of these might be doing."

Cannabis is a class B drug and carries a maximum prison sentence of five years for possession and up to 14 years for supply and production. You can also receive an unlimited fine for possession, supply or production.

You can find help and information about drugs on these BBC Advice pages.

A version of this article was originally published on 21 August 2017.

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