Think cannabis is cannabis, no matter where it comes from?
Not quite.
There’s a huge gap between what you’ll find in a dodgy baggie from a friend-of-a-friend and what you’ll get through a legal medical prescription. And that difference could be the key to whether cannabis improves your health, or makes it worse.
At High & Polite, we believe in the power of cannabis as one of nature’s greatest healers. But we also believe in education, informed choices, and safety. And that starts with understanding the difference between street cannabis and medical cannabis.
This article is your clear, confident, and compassionate guide to that difference, and why it really matters.
What Is Street Cannabis?
Street cannabis, also known as black market or illicit weed, refers to cannabis sold outside of legal or regulated channels. In the UK, where recreational cannabis is still illegal, this is the form most people are familiar with.
It’s often sold in unlabelled bags with no information about:
- Strain
- Cannabinoid content (THC/CBD)
- Pesticide or solvent residues
- Contaminants like mould or synthetic cannabinoids
And while it’s often cheaper and easier to access, street cannabis comes with serious health risks, especially if you’re using it for therapeutic purposes like anxiety, chronic pain, or insomnia.
What Is Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis refers to lab-tested, prescription-grade cannabis products that are dispensed by licensed pharmacies under the supervision of a doctor. In the UK, this has been legal since 2018, though access is still limited to private clinics for most patients.
Medical cannabis is:
- Tested for contaminants (like heavy metals, pesticides, mould)
- Labelled with exact cannabinoid content (THC, CBD, CBG, etc.)
- Selected based on individual health needs
- Grown in controlled conditions to pharmaceutical-grade standards
- Often available in non-smoking formats like oils, capsules, and dry herb vape products
This means you know exactly what you’re getting, and how much of it, which is essential when using cannabis as a medicine.
The Risks of Street Weed: It’s Not What It Used to Be
There was a time when cannabis from the black market was relatively mild, grown in the UK or imported hashish with balanced THC and CBD ratios.
But today, it’s a different game.
Street cannabis is now overwhelmingly high-THC, low-CBD, which makes it:
- More psychoactive (leading to anxiety, paranoia, and panic in some)
- Less therapeutic for conditions like inflammation or epilepsy
- More addictive and likely to induce tolerance
On top of that, it’s often:
- Sprayed with chemicals to boost weight or appearance
- Grown indoors using toxic pesticides or fertilisers
- Mouldy or contaminated due to poor storage and curing
For someone seeking relief from chronic health issues, this is a dangerous lottery.
Why the Difference Matters for Your Health
If you’re using cannabis to support your mental clarity, pain management, sleep, or gut health (as many of our readers do), consistency and purity are essential.
Let’s break this down:
In short: if you’re serious about health, medical cannabis is the only safe option.
Our View: We Support Access AND Safety
Let’s be clear – we’re not against recreational use. Far from it. We believe adults should have the freedom to explore altered states, relax, and connect with nature or others through cannabis, just like they do with alcohol or coffee.
But we do believe in:
- Safe methods (dry herb vapes, oils, edibles, not smoking)
- Clean products (free of toxins and contaminants)
- Conscious consumption (with awareness of dosage, strain, and set/setting)
And we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality cannabis, whether for recreation or healing.
How to Get Medical Cannabis in the UK
Yes, it’s legal. No, you don’t need to wait for your GP to understand it. You can go directly to a private cannabis clinic.
Here’s what to do:
- Check if you qualify – You’ll usually need a history of a diagnosed condition and tried at least two conventional treatments.
- Book an online consultation – Many clinics operate virtually and are happy to guide you.
- Receive your prescription – If approved, you’ll be sent a prescription tailored to your needs.
- Get safe, tested cannabis delivered – Direct from a licensed pharmacy.
Final Thoughts:
Cannabis can be one of the most powerful tools in your wellness toolkit. But like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how you use it.
Street cannabis may seem convenient, but it could be doing you more harm than good, especially if you’re using it to treat, not just to chill.
Knowledge is power. And with medical cannabis now legally available in the UK, there’s no reason to settle for second-rate.
You deserve better weed. You deserve better health.
And we’re here to help you get both.
Not sure where to start? Sign up to our newsletter where we regularly break down the best clinics, share patient stories, and give guidance on the legal and medical process in the UK.
