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Grit cannabis has become a growing concern in the UK, as more reports surface of contaminated street cannabis being sold to unsuspecting users. Understanding what grit cannabis is, how to identify it, and why it’s appearing more frequently is essential for staying safe.
The safest way to access cannabis is always through regulated medical providers, where quality and safety are guaranteed. Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.
What Is Grit Cannabis and Why It’s a Concern
Grit cannabis UK is essentially contaminated street cannabis that has been laced with materials such as sand, glass, or silica to increase its weight and profit for sellers. This contamination poses serious health risks to users. We’ll explore these health risks below, as well as what to look out for and signs of laced cannabis.
Keep in mind that purchasing medical cannabis through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf is the safest way to obtain. You can trust where you’re purchasing from, as everything is regulated, and you get expert guidance throughout your treatment journey.
How to Identify Grit Cannabis: Common Signs and Texture Clues
Grit cannabis has an unusual texture and sparkling residue that may look like sugar or sand under light. This is one of the most obvious signs of laced cannabis, and the best way to spot it before consumption.
If you miss these signs, and consume grit cannabis, it often produces harsh smoke and a chemical or metallic taste when burned. The gritty particles can cause excessive coughing, throat irritation, or a scratching sensation, which are clear warning signs of contamination.
Health Risks of Contaminated Cannabis
Recreational cannabis consumption often involves smoking. But there are dangers of smoking grit cannabis. If grit cannabis is inhaled, the abrasive particles may cause harm. Not only can it lead to excessive coughing like we mentioned above, other health risks include lung damage, throat irritation, and long-term respiratory problems.
Why Grit Cannabis Is Increasing in the UK
Grit cannabis is increasing in the UK due to high demand for black market cannabis, which is unregulated. This rising demand, combined with a limited supply, has led to some dealers adding materials like sand or glass to cannabis, to increase sales, and therefore profits.
The use of ‘grit’ is an attempt to mimic the natural sparkle of trichomes. These are the tiny, crystal-like structures that give cannabis its frosty appearance and contain the majority of the plants cannabinoids and terpenes. High amounts of trichomes are often associated with quality, and the sparkly visual effect of some materials, like salt, or ‘grit’ can almost replicate this appearance. There are other reasons that ‘grit’ may be added to flower, for example artificially increasing weight, to maximise profits.
The lack of quality control and regulation in illegal markets allows these unsafe, contaminated products to circulate more widely.
All signs point back to seeking the help of a medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf.
Medical Cannabis vs Street Cannabis: Understanding the Difference
Street cannabis isn’t regulated and isn’t legal. You don’t always know what you’re buying, making it unsafe - it could be contaminated cannabis, containing anything.
Regulated medical cannabis is prescribed by specialist doctors, quality-tested and regulated. You’ll also have expert guidance and clinical oversight at every stage of your journey with licensed medical cannabis clinics like Alternaleaf. Making it much safer - and legal.
When it comes to getting a prescription of medical cannabis, you can easily find out if you qualify by completing this 30 second eligibility checker. You’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition. You’ll also need evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for this condition.
One of our expert clinicians will assess your medical history and monitor your progress if you become a patient. This is because medical cannabis is only available by prescription under the supervision of a specialist doctor.
Keep in mind, if you’re pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, you won’t qualify.
What To Do If You Suspect Grit Cannabis
If you suspect you have grit cannabis, stop using it immediately to avoid health risks. If it’s safe to do so, keep a small sample for possible testing and inform your prescribing doctor or healthcare provider.
Always avoid buying cannabis from unverified or illegal sources, as regulated products are far less likely to be contaminated. If you’re purchasing from a licensed clinic, it’s impossible you’ll come across grit cannabis. Remember, it’s reliable, regulated and safer!
Staying Safe and Informed
If traditional treatments haven’t worked for you, and you’re considering medical cannabis as an alternative option, it’s important to seek professional guidance. To ensure safe cannabis use UK, it’s important to purchase medical cannabis through legal, regulated UK providers. That way, you can trust the source you’re purchasing from.
Summary
The best thing to do is speak to your Doctor or clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis treatment. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second questionnaire.