- Illegal cannabis sales through unregulated online retailers
have increased 50% in past two years
- 73% of the illegal online market is driven by those seeking
relief from health conditions
- Tests show illegal cannabis in the UK contains harmful
substances such as mould, lead, and synthetic cannabinoids, posing
serious health threats to consumers
- Curaleaf International calls for public education, stronger
enforcement, and regulatory reform to tackle the illegal market and
safeguard consumers
LONDON, Oct. 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf International, a
global leader in medical cannabis, is urging the UK government to
take immediate action against the rapidly growing online illicit
cannabis market, which is allowing street cannabis to be sold from
unregulated and unpoliced websites and platforms.
Curaleaf's latest report reveals that illegal online cannabis
sales via the open and dark web have risen by 50% in the past two
years, and increased by 67% across open web retailers.
This is largely being driven by consumers buying illegal
cannabis to seek relief from health conditions like chronic pain,
insomnia, and anxiety (73% of online purchasers) - many of whom
could be eligible for legally prescribed medical cannabis.
Curaleaf's report, developed in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, also found
that illegal cannabis is often contaminated with dangerous
substances such as mould, lead, and synthetic cannabinoids, posing
severe health risks to the 1.8 million people in the UK who use the
product to self-treat medical conditions. This unregulated market
not only endangers public health but also undermines the legal,
medical cannabis industry, which adheres to strict quality and
safety standards.
Despite dangers including respiratory issues, neurological
damage, and increased risk of infection, one in five (17%) cannabis
consumers mistakenly believe illegal cannabis is safer than
regulated medical cannabis or don't know the difference,
highlighting an urgent need for public education to tackle the
illicit market and safeguard consumers.
Curaleaf International advocates for a holistic reform strategy
that encompasses:
- Tightened Regulation of Illegal Channels: Strengthening
enforcement against unlicensed online sales and dark web activity
to protect consumers from unregulated and potentially dangerous
products.
- Public Awareness Initiatives: Launching comprehensive
campaigns to educate the public on the risks associated with
unregulated cannabis products and the advantages of the existing
legal medical cannabis market. These campaigns will ensure patients
make informed choices based on reliable information about regulated
medical cannabis, which meets stringent safety and quality
standards, unlike illicit products.
- Policy Changes to Improve Patient Access to Medicine:
Simple regulatory and policy changes could significantly improve
patient access to medical cannabis. For instance, enabling
electronic prescribing of cannabis medicines would reduce the
bureaucracy imposed on doctors and improve the efficiency of
medicine dispensing.
- Expanded Research into Medical Cannabis: Promoting
further clinical research to unlock the full therapeutic potential
of cannabis. As a leader in the industry, Curaleaf International is
already pioneering studies to advance the understanding of how
medical cannabis affects patients with a range of diagnosed medical
conditions, where other treatments have not provided relief.
Juan Martinez, Head of
Curaleaf International, stated: "While the online market for
illicit cannabis is growing year on year and remains completely
unregulated, the UK already has a legal medical cannabis market in
place, which adheres to rigorous safety and quality standards. Our
research has found alarmingly high levels of contamination in
illegal cannabis, putting consumers' health at serious risk. If the
UK government is truly committed to safeguarding public health and
supporting legitimate businesses, it must do more to improve
patient access to regulated medical cannabis and enforce stricter
regulations on illegal sales. This includes educating the public on
the benefits of regulated cannabis products and enhanced policing
of internet search engines and service providers. By curbing the
illicit market and expanding access to legal, regulated options, we
can better protect vulnerable individuals and dismantle illegal
operations."
Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO
at Curaleaf Inc, added: "The findings in this new
report echo our concerns across the globe, and highlight
serious risks to patients in the UK. Similar testing done
previously in the US found contaminated products in illegal
dispensaries, and this is an issue that weighs on all of us in
the industry. Without controlled and legal access to tested,
regulated cannabis, patients and consumers are left vulnerable to
extreme health risks. Lawmakers around the world must act now
to enforce laws against the illicit market and widen access to
legal, regulated cannabis products."
About Curaleaf International
Curaleaf International is shaping the future of cannabis through
its commitment to research and product excellence. Powered by a
strong presence at all stages of the supply chain, its unique
distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together
pioneering research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction, and
production. Amidst a rapid growth trajectory, the emphasis on
quality and expertise aims to ensure the delivery of safe and legal
cannabis.
Curaleaf International's network includes a clinic, pharmacy,
and laboratory in the UK; cultivation and processing facilities in
Portugal; an EU-GMP processing,
quality assurance and research site in Spain; Four20 Pharma wholesaler and
distributor in Germany; a Polish
wholesaler; and the EU-GMP producer Northern Green Canada.
Curaleaf International is part of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a
publicly listed business and the world's largest cannabis
company.
Contact:
Iskander Javed
iskander@thirdcity.co.uk
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