Super-Strong 'Skunk' Pot Linked to Psychosis

Officials debate reclassifying drug as seizures of potent dope soars
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 6, 2008 12:21 PM CST
Super-Strong 'Skunk' Pot Linked to Psychosis
"Skunk" weed is three to four times stronger than normal herbal cannabis and is being blamed for mental health problems.   ((c) r0bz)

Seizures of a super-strong strain of marijuana nicknamed "skunk" have risen sharply in the UK and experts say it could be causing an epidemic of cannabis-induced psychosis, the Daily Telegraph reports. Skunk is up to four times more potent than regular herbal cannabis, and now accounts for 80% of street seizures. British politicians are now debating reclassifying marijuana as a more dangerous drug.

Mental health experts say the powerful high skunk provides can tip mentally vulnerable people over the edge into full-fledged psychosis. One estimated that a quarter of all new schizophrenia cases would be linked to the drug in the next two years. Government advisers say that gangs growing skunk are cornering the marijuana market in the UK. "Traditional herbal cannabis has almost been squeezed out of the market," noted one. (More marijuana stories.)

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