CANNIABIS CONTAMINATION
| Published: 26th February 2007 18:40 |
Warning - Contamination of herbal or ‘skunk-type' cannabis
The Department of Health has recently received information suggesting that batches of herbal and ‘skunk-type' cannabis have been contaminated with microscopic glass-like beads (or possibly ground glass). Laboratory testing has since confirmed a number of cases from a number of different parts of the country, in which cannabis appears to contain microscopic particles of glass. They have no information on other types of cannabis such as resin. The risk of glass contamination adds an additional layer of risk to the substantial harm which cannabis has on the user's health.
"The risk of glass contamination adds an additional layer of risk to the substantial harm which cannabis has on the user's health."
Reports, unconfirmed, suggest that smoking this contaminated cannabis has been linked with complaints by users of sore mouth, mouth ulcers, chesty persistent coughs, and a tight chest lasting a few days after use.
The risk of glass contamination adds an additional layer of risk to the substantial harm which cannabis has on the user's health. Although there are no reported serious health effects to date from this contamination, the DofH advises that smokers of herbal and ‘skunk-type' cannabis, in particular, "should exercise caution".
Advice Includes:
- Stop smoking cannabis
If unable to do so, limit use as much as possible
If any particular supply of cannabis has caused irritation to the mouth or airways, if there is a suspicion it is contaminated (e.g. due to grittiness when rubbed between moistened fingers), stop using that supply, and stop using from the same source.
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