Glossary term

Black market: Black market means cannabis sold or supplied outside the legal medical and pharmacy system. Patients may encounter the term in community discussions or media coverage.

CautionCommunity / legalSource quality: HighLast updated: 29 June 2026

Why this term matters

Important because some readers confuse prescribed CBPMs with illegal supply.

UK medical cannabis context

NHS warns that products bought online or illegally may be dangerous, illegal or poor quality.

What not to assume

Illegal products may have unknown strength, contaminants or misleading labels.

Careful wording: Avoid romanticised language such as “street is more natural”.

Related glossary terms

Related MCPH pages

Sources and review notes

This entry is educational vocabulary, not medical advice. Suitability, prescribing, product choice and monitoring belong with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.