- Irradiated cannabis is medical cannabis sterilised with radiation to remove microorganisms that can live on the flower’s surface.
- Irradiated cannabis is safe to use and goes through a heavily regulated irradiation process like other natural products.
- Irradiation has not been shown to affect the levels of major cannabinoids. Evidence on its impact on terpenes is mixed — some studies report a reduction, while others note an increase. Importantly, across all studies the overall terpene profile remains unchanged.
If you’re considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, you may have come across the term irradiated cannabis.
Because cannabis is a natural product, it can sometimes carry microbes such as yeast, mould, or bacteria if not properly safeguarded. To protect patients, medical cannabis must meet strict safety standards.
Medical cannabis growers and manufacturers work carefully to minimise contamination during cultivation and production, but in some cases additional steps — such as irradiation — are used to sterilise the flower and ensure it meets these standards.
At Curaleaf Clinic, we’re here to provide clear, reliable information so you can feel more confident when exploring your treatment options.
What is Irradiated Cannabis?
Simply put, irradiated cannabis refers to cannabis flowers that have been sterilised using ionising radiation. The purpose of this process is to reduce any potentially harmful bacteria or other microbes from the product below safe limits before it’s supplied to patients.
To do this, the cannabis is exposed to a small, controlled dose of radiation which kills any microorganisms and prevents them from reproducing. Most commonly in the UK medical cannabis products are treated with gamma or beta-radiation.
This is a common practice across many industries; the food and agriculture industries have been using irradiation to sterilise their products for decades with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) overseeing and regulating the use of irradiation on food products. Across the UK, medical cannabis products must meet the criteria set out in the European Pharmacopoeia. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are responsible for regulating medicines and ensuring compliance with these standards.
Is Irradiated Cannabis Safe?
We understand that some patients have concerns about the safety of irradiated medical cannabis, but the process is very similar to what’s already used for many everyday foods, including fruit, vegetables, and seafood.
The irradiation used to sterilise the cannabis flower does not remain in the product. It disappears within seconds of treatment, so by the time your prescription reaches you, there is no trace of radiation — only that the flower has been sterilised.
Medical cannabis also isn’t the only medicine that undergoes irradiation. Sterilisation with radiation is a well-established process, commonly used for treatments such as antibiotics, painkillers, and blood pressure medicines1.
Does this mean non-irradiated cannabis is dangerous?
No, it doesn’t. All medical cannabis must meet the safety standards set out in the European Pharmacopoeia before it can be prescribed. Non-irradiated cannabis can still meet these standards, but it relies solely on the cultivation process rather than an additional sterilisation step.
Is Irradiated Cannabis Less Potent than Non-Irradiated Cannabis?
The short answer is no; irradiated cannabis is not less potent than non-irradiated cannabis. There is no evidence that irradiation may affect the concentration of the major cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Does irradiation effect terpenes?
There is conflicting evidence on the effects of radiation on terpenes. In some studies irradiation is associated with a reduction in terpenes, in others it causes an increase in terpenes. However, in all studies the profile of terpenes remains unchanged.
What are the Benefits of Irradiated Medical Cannabis?
The benefit of irradiated medical cannabis is that it enables more products to meet strict quality standards, making a wider range available for prescription. Irradiation does not alter the therapeutic properties of medical cannabis, but the sterilisation process ensures more products are suitable for clinical use.
This means clinicians have a broader selection to consider when finding the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Make Informed Decisions about Medical Cannabis with Curaleaf
At Curaleaf Clinic, we want all our patients to have access to clear and accurate information about medical cannabis. We’re committed to dispelling myths about irradiated cannabis and addressing any other concerns potential patients may have. You can also explore our article on common medical cannabis misconceptions to help you make informed choices about treatment.
Medical cannabis isn’t right for everyone. However, if you’d like to find out more, you can check your eligibility for a consultation with Curaleaf Clinic and register for free today.
Citations
- Jacobs, G.P. (2022). Irradiation of pharmaceuticals: A literature review. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 190, pp.109795–109795. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109795.
