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Deadly skunk floods city
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor15.10.07
Dramatic new evidence of the dangers of cannabis emerged today as government scientists warned that the most harmful "skunk" variety is flooding our streets.
The Forensic Science Service said that skunk now accounted for 75 per cent of cannabis seized.
It also revealed that seizures of all forms of cannabis have shot up by 42 per cent, with nearly 4,300 kilos confiscated by police and customs in the first half of this year.
The revelations will increase the pressure on the Government to restore cannabis to its former class B status, reversing its decision to downgrade it to a class C drug.
The powerful drug can cause mental illness, say medical experts, and has led to a number of killings by addicts. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already announced a review of the drug's status.
The effect of skunk, typically two to three times more powerful than other forms of cannabis, was a prime concern which led to his decision and today's revelations will heighten fears about the drug's impact.
Dean Ames, head of the Forensic Science Service's drugs unit, said there was conclusive evidence that dealers were now concentrating heavily on the more powerful strain of cannabis.
"The market is now dominated by skunk. I would say that in the region of 75 per cent of the seizures that we now get are of skunk," he told the Standard.
"That is across all types of seizures, whether it be large amounts from suppliers, or small amounts possessed for personal use. Skunk is a more potent form of cannabis, but many users like it and that is the way the market is moving."
Figures sent to the Forensic Science Service by police and customs show that 4,281kg were seized in the first six months of this year. That compares with 6,032kg for the whole of last year, a 42 per cent increase so far this year.
Mr Ames said one reason for the surge in skunk was that cannabis was increasingly produced in Britain. Customs and police had made smuggling more difficult and growing numbers of foreigners are being brought to Britain by drug gangs to work in houses converted into cannabis factories.
He added: "There is now an easy way to grow cannabis in this country because of the availability of equipment, specialist lighting and a cheap labour source through foreign nationals.
"Most cannabis is grown here in soil, which requires the plants to be tended every day, and a lot of people are actually being brought in to do that."
Any change in the classification of cannabis, which was downgraded by former Home Secretary David Blunkett in 2004, will follow a review of its harmfulness by the Government's Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs.
The committee's chairman, Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, said: "We will review all the evidence, but the extent of use of cannabis and, in particular, of skunk will be an important consideration."
The Government says it is concerned about the dangers of skunk, but insists that overall cannabis use has been declining despite the reclassification.
The decision to downgrade cannabis means that users face softer penalties - often no more than a police warning. It was intended partly to free police to concentrate on tackling more serious crime.
At the same time as reclassification, the Association of Chief Police Officers issued new guidance stating that those caught in possession should not normally be arrested. Instead, the guidelines say, the offender should be given a formal warning and have their drugs confiscated.
The main exceptions are when a person is caught smoking cannabis in public, when there is a problem with the drug in a local area, or if the offender is in possession of cannabis close to a school or play area. In these cases, the guidance says that an arrest should take place.
PUNGENT, POTENT AND DANGEROUS
* Skunk is a hybrid version of cannabis that is typically two to three times stronger, although some strains can be even more powerful.
* The drug's potency comes from the high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that it contains. Its name derives from the pungent smell it produces while growing. It is produced from legally obtainable seeds.
* The level of THC in normal cannabis is usually between four per cent and six per cent. But skunk's concentration of THC is around 15 per cent and sometimes even as high as 20 per cent.
* A study published by The Lancet warned that cannabis users were up to 40 per cent more likely than non-users to develop a pyschotic illness. The study also warned that up to 800 cases of schizophrenia a year in Britain could be linked to the drug.
* The Association of Youth Offending Team Managers has raised concerns about the effect of cannabis, warning that use of the drug is "out of control" among juvenile criminals in some areas.
Reader views (37)
this is like the 60's hilarious 'reefer madness' propoganda happening all over again. I fthere is a coroner out there delivering death from cannabis verdicts i think the problem is more to do with idiots working in such important roles who obviously have no clue about science of drugs or how plants are here to help us, and that ignorance is evil not smoking pot! The increase in fear leads to ignorance leads to hated leads to violence and more reason to victimise certain people. the ones the government has it in for. Use your own minds when reading any so called bews article. Its probably a ruse to get youto be scared of something so you can be controlled more easily.
- Jazzfac3e, london
people harp on about skunk and its ill affects but what about cheap continental lager by the crate load,ready meals and fags. It seems to me the goverment have their fingers in a lot of pies but not the biggest one legalise it now that should just about sort the recession out.
- Shaun, plymouth devon
what do they mean by skunk? skunk#1 or sinsemilla either way its like comparing a beer to a shot of vodka, no danger there , but people dont know that, and use just as much, if u normally drink beer nd fancy a vodka u dont ask for a pint of vodka, even still if u smoke to much its no like you will die, so if u havnt smoked it before smoke less of it. I use cannabis ,whatever comes my way except soapbar, usually grass and i smoke 2 or 3 days a week and have had no trouble with it. i used to go out and get hammered but after losing friends due to my drunken state, thinking i was right and slabbering at close friends, not to mention doing a few things i shudnt have done like smashing windows etc ( i would never do anything like that sober) , but now i go out with mates have a few spliffs and relax dont get in any trouble whatsoever the only risk im taking is getting arrested. one of my friends told me that his dad is a police man and he told my friend a story about a bunch of hoods throwing stones at this mans window and they were called out to the location, they found these scum , terrorizing the man ,and drinking alcohol, and told them to move on, they went to the mans door , who was sittting in the house minding his own buisness having a joint nd watchin telly, nd the cops smelt grass and arrested him,how can u respect the police when they do things like that, a final note , on the paranoia , a weed smoker gets busted every 45 seconds, and u wonder why were paranoid
- Matt, northern ireland
For some strange reason the world has gone crazy. Legalising Alcohol which has caused tremendous social upheaval everywhere. Malaysia thinks that a user should be hung if caught smoking it (Nuts right ?). There is nothing safer than a private smoke at home. But now you cant even do that. Nowadays cannabis resin is sooooo weak and tastes horrible. All the quality has become poor. Its is little wonder people are moving to skunk.
And even the skunk, now grown in the UK is rubbish. Where is the goverment getting this high class skunk ?
Perhaps its should be made legal to stop users from having to face and hear rubbish from their dealer who gets rich selling rubbish to everyone
- Mr True, st albans england
i think this is wrong saying skunk kills because dont drink and fags kill us too and most fatty food if not cooked or eatten in probly.even skunk has been used to help people in discomfot and other illnesses so people must lay of it beacause it is just as bad as every thing else. . .
- Unknown, leeds
The thing that makes cannabis different is that it is not smuggled commonly. It is grown in peoples houses. how will making it class b stop anyone growing it ? It just means when they are caught they are put away for longer. Even then there will still be plenty of growers around, the only way to stop the so called "problem" with skunk is to legalise none skunk varieties in order to stop the consumers obtaining skunk and weening them onto the legal variaties.
- Cameron, leeds , england
i think this is wrong saying skunk kills cuz dont drink and fags kill us too and most fatty food if not cooked or eatten in probly.even skunk has been used to help people in discomfot and other illnesses so people must lay of it beacause it is jaust as bad as every thing else. . .
- Speedy, lesta england
WHen they dropped it to class C,the objectives were to make it less of a crime for the end-user and to make more SEVERE punishment for the dealer/producer! If this was the case then why is there a need to promote it back to class B?also if the dealing/production managed to increase when the punishment was made more severe as a class C, then what makes them think that promotion to class B will miraculously cure the problem? This is pure MADNESS.ive seen official government documents that confirmed that there was no scientific evidence to back up there claims of mental health issues!! They tried to do they same in the 40s USA, and looking back at the ludicrous propaganda released then,(i.e. if you smoke weed you will turn into a crazed killer or rapist) I can't help getting a feeling of dejavu! It has been the way of governments for centuries to strike fear into the hearts of its population so that it can control them!
- Greg, Spalding
If the government legalised weed then there would be no market for the criminal organisations.Thats taking millions of pounds a year out of the hands of criminals and gangsters and into the governments pocket.Damn they could even add tax to it!growing skunk is a licence to print money and as long as its illegal that moneys just going to keep on goin to the wrong hands!why not use it for something productive?There will ALWAYS be a market for people that smoke cannabis!
- Greg, Spalding
I want to know how many people have died from this "deadly skunk", last I heard there wasn't a single case of overdose on marijuana, maybe from additives from dirty black market cannabis, that's the governments fault for creating the black markets, I view this as nothing more than ridiculous propaganda.
- Brian B, USA
Why can't the government pull there fingers out?
And listen, instead of putting the whole drug up to class B why don't they just put skunk up to class B or A?
They should consider cannabis the same way Holland does.
- Justin, Truro
People are buying skunk who would prefer normal cannabis because prohibition limits the market.
People therefore are ending up with mental health problems they wouldn't have because of prohibition. It is just like the USA in its alcohol prohibition days, people were being damaged by moonshine when they would have been happy with beer.
Legalise non skunk in a licensing system (restrict the THC levels to under 10%) and you will be improving the health of the nation.
As for the article:
Killings by crazed skunk addicts? Reefer madness? The evil weed fuelling the primitive desires of murderous black jazz musicians who want nothing more than to get their filthy hands on our womenfolk?
Did I just fall down a time vortex or something?
Anyone would think that article is part of a Labour-sponsored media backlash against this: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3063804.ece
Or am I being cynical?
- Colin, Bristol, UK
Legalise non skunk canabis in a controlled manner and you would see skunk pretty much disappear from the streets.
- Dave, Brighton
My son was a happy 17 year old lad with a steady girl-friend. By the time he was 20 he was in a psychiatric ward, diagnosed with drug induced Schizophrenia. He is now 32 and has no life what so ever. For all those who think skunk is safe or OK, believe me that last joint you smoked could be the one that take you on a never ending journey, of a life in mental turmoil.
- Mrs G, West London
As a zoologist I find it truly upsetting that you would disparage the name of the wonderful beast that is the 'Skunk'.
- Linda Brown, London
"Deadly skunk floods city": I saw this headline and giggled. I initially though that it was the latest excuse from Thames Water.
- Andrew Fyall, London
Super-gold-cup-winning Dutch skunk may contain up to 15% THC, but the skunk grown in UK tends to be rushed through its growing cycle, and as with most commercial farming, strains are chosen that have short growing seasons and are heavy cropping. Skunk is no more powerful than 70s sensi, in general.
- A, London
I burn day and night, whether it's skunk or not - as long as it gets me going I couldn't care less. When under the influence I often just end up burning more.
- Joel Stern, Hadley Wood, London
The government needs to make a firm distinction between skunk and commercial weed (mersh, thai etc). The difference between the two types is immense. I smoke natural weed and would be more than happy to see 'Skunk' classified as a class A and commercial weed as a class C. I am qualified to say that as I had smoked skunk for about 4 years and know all about the negative effects. They should not put weed and skunk under the same umbrella!
- Robin Good, West London
Lets have a few facts to counteract this hysterical nonsense then at least we can have a sensible discussion about cannabis.
Let's listen to Leslie King, the former head of the Forensic Science Service's drugs intelligence unit who analysed samples of cannabis seized last year most of the cannabis seized in fact is little changed in strength from 10 years ago. Only 4% of cannabis seized had a higher THC content of 20%. The vast majority of the cannabis seized is the same strength smoked in the 70s.
The real worry about cannabis is the routinely found adulterants ranging from blue tac, engine oil henna and sand, these pose a far greater threat to our citizens than pure cannabis ever could.
While the sale and distribution of cannabis is in the hands of organised crime this is unlikely to change while we flounder under prohibtion.
Educate, regulate inform and control all drugs by the Government for our nation's sake.
- John, Camden
Wine is 'typically two to three times stronger' than beer so it's more like calling wine deadly alcohol.
- Dan, London
Skunk is stronger that's for sure but we wouldn't have this situation if cannabis was made legal it could be controlled and criminals wouldn't be able to set up factory style processing plants. Over the last couple of years because of the crackdowns dealers have been flooding the market with cannabis that has lots of bad things mixed in like sand or fibreglass. If it was legal you could have areas set up like Amsterdam were it is controlled and people will not be smoking harmful forms.
- Adrianb, Essex
The police are slacking if this has only been brought to light. Skunk has been dominating the streets for the past 5 years at a high level. To find other forms of cannabis is difficult, but finding skunk is like finding candy in a sweet shop. You might as well legalise it. It's people's decision at the end of the day, and some people have been doing it for so long that it's part of their daily routine, and a very difficult habit to break out off, as the addictiveness to the drug is high, although scientists like to say that it isn't. They need to start re-written their lab books in my opinion.
- D Golding, Chigwell, Essex
It's not deadly. It's strong yes. But that's because dealers have been forced into getting highest yield, strongest crop- like farming... supply and demand. Except it avoids customs and is loads cheaper for the dealers (no one arrested...).
Many things are harmful. I don't see a ban on nuts for killing people though- funny that. They actually ARE deadly. Just doesn't add up!
If I drink too much, I will die (after causing hell for a while). If I smoke too much, I will freak out and go to sleep. what's worse? And what's deadly?
- Pedro, London, UK
It's no joking matter, this skunk needs to be identified and stopped.
- Alex Palmer, London
What is this vendetta against cannabis? Why are you perpetuating a myth with regards to users and the drug(cannabis is non addictive, skunk is not up to two or three times stronger than other strains. Are you aware that many forms of hash are stronger than skunk because good hash is made up entirely of cannabinoid crystals? Are you at least aware of the mountains of researched evidence which proves that cannabis is not a gateway drug and is not the cause of mental illness in users - merely that there is a correlation between some mentally ill people and cannabis use (with no indication as to the source of the mental illness?) That the majority of such claims date all the way back to the twenties and thirties and were instigated as propaganda by Harry Anslinger?
- Rudolph, London
It's pretty clear that the trade in cannabis is out of control - and has been for years. Putting it back to class B is pointless, it may make prohibition supporters feel better, but it will solve nothing.
The penalties for dealing are the same for class C and B drugs, so reclassication will not affect dealing. It will also do nothing to control or regulate the trade, whilst it's illegal cannabis is an uncontrolled drug.
As for a 40% increase in the risk fo mental illenss, 40% of not much is not much. The rates of mental illness have not increased in line with the use of cannabis, had they done so mental illness would be widespread indeed.
If the concern is about children using cannabis, then we need a properly regulated supply side with age limits on sales. Trying to ban adults from using cannabis because children are at risk is never going to protect them.
- Derek, Norwich, UK
Surely if we are to believe all the stories in the news papers reporting of 'super strength skunk cannabis' surely it would be in the country's best interests if this substance was regulated by the Government rather than drug dealers who care not for people's health, only of profit.
History shows us that prohibition fails as a form of substance control, you only have to look back as far as the alcohol prohibition in America to see this.
From my understanding of the last Select Committee report on drugs, fewer than 1% of people have a negative reaction from smoking cannabis, a far smaller percent of harm than those of alcohol. Indeed, in the report the Select Committee explained that 90% of all drug deaths in the UK occur from the use of alcohol and tobacco and the other 10% from all other hard drugs, not cannabis.
Prohibition of cannabis has failed, I think it's time to adopt a drug policy that works, similar to that of Holland where a person over the age of 18 can buy cannabis in coffee shops.
If you truly want to help young people and the police force we have to end Prohibition. Take the control of drugs away from the criminals and regulate it. It works in Holland and it would work here.
- Penny, Isle of Wight
The 40% increase is also a sensationalist claim - it derives from the fact you are 1% likely to develop schizophrenia as a normal person, this goes up to 1.4% as a cannabis smoker, this is the 40% increase that everyone seems so scared about - if the media report it as "from 1% to 1.4%" it doesn't sound quite so exciting, does it?
- Alex, London, UK
Let's just take a small step outside the big picture.
Tobbaco and Alcohol alone kill more people than any drug put together.
- Blow, London
The other side of the story is millions of cannabis users (including users of skunk) doing well, earning money, getting hitched, having lives. Cannabis harms far less people than driving, but this is no reason to assert that driving should be made illegal just for the benefit of the minority of people who die each year in road accidents.
- Anon, London
"Deadly skunk floods city" have I missed something or has the first person died from smoking a join of cannabis?
- Kieron, London, Brixton
P.S
1) The strongest marijuana now is as strong as the strongest marijuana from the 70s.
2) The fact that there are more cannabis seizures in England since declassification is surely a sign that the police strategy is working. More suppliers are having their marijuana taken from them. However, this has caused a hole at the supply end of the black market, which has led to a truly dangerous product that was previously unknown, “gritty” skunk, which has been adulterated with pollutants.
- Jacob, London
Nice and balanced reporting from a nice and balanced paper!
- Andy, London
It's not just the strength of the skunk that is deadly, the stuff the big time dealers put on it, spray onto it, or, dip it into, is the deadly thing about it. Such as fibre glass, insect repellent, sugar, and a number of other things have been found to be mixed into the skunk plant, before it hits the streets. That should also be a concern for the smoking public and the authorities.
- James Raven, London
What do you think they have been selling in Dam for all these years?
- Ftf, London
It's not "deadly" just stronger, that's like saying that whiskey or vodka is deadly alcohol.
- Daveb, London
