Many people think marijuana is a harmless drug, but recent samples have shown up laced with the deadly drug fentanyl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the fall of 2021, there was a report from Connecticut<\/a> in which the Department of Public Health said it believed deadly fentanyl was linked to 39 overdoses<\/a> in the state. Following the report, there was a sense of panic about the potential for fentanyl-laced weed hitting the market more broadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, public health officials have walked back some of their initial claims in Connecticut, but there is still a growing problem with fentanyl-laced weed leading to opioid overdoses<\/a>. There are real and often deadly risks that can come from drugs being laced with other things, although we now know the Connecticut story wasn\u2019t what it initially seemed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Connecticut story, the 39 people who reportedly overdosed all said they\u2019d only used marijuana. However, those overdoses led to only one confirmed case of fentanyl-laced marijuana. Investigators now say accidental contamination likely caused that. Even after confirmation of just one contamination, authorities say there is still a risk of fentanyl-laced weed for people across the country. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Idaho<\/a> for example, there was a story about a couple accused of selling fentanyl-laced weed. They\u2019ve since been arrested and each charged with multiple crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Authorities around the country are responding to opioid overdoses daily, and fentanyl is increasingly being found in counterfeit prescription opioid pills<\/a>, meth<\/a> and cocaine<\/a>. Now, that\u2019s extended to marijuana<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is fentanyl<\/a>, and why is it so deadly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fentanyl may be mixed with other drugs because of its potency. Drug dealers can traffic smaller amounts but maintain the same expected effects of drugs. Unfortunately, with the increase in potency comes the risk of death with even just a small amount. When end users don\u2019t know they\u2019re using fentanyl, the risk of an overdose and death is extraordinarily high.There are also situations where even the person selling drugs doesn\u2019t know they contain fentanyl. Also, cross-contamination can occur because dealers are handling multiple substances at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s very difficult to determine whether you\u2019re using fentanyl-laced marijuana. Fentanyl doesn\u2019t look or smell like anything, so visually, it\u2019s impossible to identify. The most reliable way<\/a> to detect fentanyl in marijuana or other substances is to use fentanyl test strips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fentanyl test strips are an inexpensive harm reduction method. The strips were originally developed for urine screenings. To use a fentanyl test strip, the substance is dissolved in water, and then the strip is dipped into it. These tests are highly sensitive but also have limitations. For example, test strips can\u2019t measure the potency or quantity of fentanyl in a sample, just that it\u2019s in the sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On its own, marijuana<\/a> isn\u2019t a harmless substance. Marijuana can lead to psychosis, other serious symptoms, and dependence. With fentanyl-laced weed, the risks increase and include death. Fentanyl leads to overdoses and death because it slows down the central nervous system. Lacing any drug, including cannabis, with fentanyl will raise the risk of an overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since it is so potent, a fentanyl overdose<\/a> can occur quickly and without warning. Signs of a fentanyl overdose can include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How much fentanyl can kill you? Depending on the individual and their opioid tolerance, a lethal dose of fentanyl<\/a> can be as little as 2 mg. To put that into context, one milligram is the equivalent of around 0.0002 teaspoons. Because it affects people differently, any amount of fentanyl is potentially deadly. There\u2019s also the potential to become dependent on fentanyl, even with accidental use. Any fentanyl use can lead to addiction<\/a> and, if someone tries to stop, opioid withdrawal symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the laced meaning? Laced refers to a situation where other substances are added to drugs for varying reasons. It may be to improve their potency, add bulk to the original amount, and increase profitability. For example, if a drug is sold by weight, adding other substances can make it heavier. Therefore, a dealer can charge more for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marijuana can potentially be laced with any substance, purposely or accidentally. That\u2019s one reason no drug is harmless, including marijuana. If someone sells low-quality marijuana, they might lace it with something to increase its psychoactive properties. Examples of substances marijuana can be laced with aside from fentanyl include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only way to avoid marijuana laced with potentially deadly drugs is not to use it. That can mean getting help in a professional treatment program for some people. The Recovery Village at Baptist Health is a comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab treatment center offering personalized treatment plans and programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Levels of care<\/a> available at The Recovery Village at Baptist Health include medical detox, inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs and aftercare planning. Treatment programs include options for marijuana addiction and co-occurring disorders. We encourage you to contact our South Florida team<\/a> today to learn about available treatment programs and explore what could be the right fit for you or a loved one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many people think marijuana is a harmless drug, but recent samples have shown up laced with the deadly drug fentanyl. In the fall of 2021, there was a report from Connecticut in which the Department of Public Health said it believed deadly fentanyl was linked to 39 overdoses in the state. Following the report, there was a sense of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":10309,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10319","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-marijuana"],"acf":{"written_by":176,"enable_medically_and_up":"","medically_reviewed_by":263,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Last Updated<\/i> - 02\/17\/2022<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20221229","page_last_edit_date":"20221229","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling 888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"Besthoff, Len. \u201c<\/span>State Slow to Correct Fentanyl-Laced Cannabis Report<\/span><\/a>.\u201d NBC Connecticut, June 24, 2022. Accessed July 13, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nConnecticut State Department of Public Health. \u201c<\/span>Officials From The Connecticut Overdose Response Strategy And The Department of Public Health Issue Warning About The Possible Dangers Of Marijuana With Fentanyl<\/span><\/a>.\u201d November 18, 2021. Accessed July 18, 2022.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHarris, Shelbie. \u201c<\/span>Two arrested after teenager overdoses on fentanyl-laced marijuana in what police call dangerous local trend<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Idaho State Journal, April 14, 2022. Accessed July 13, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nU.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. <\/span>\u201cFentanyl<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Accessed July 18, 2022.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nU.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. \u201c<\/span>Fentanyl Flow to the United States.<\/span><\/a>\u201d January 2020. Accessed July 18, 2022.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nNational Harm Reduction Coalition. \u201c<\/span>Fentanyl.\u201d<\/span><\/a> Accessed July 13, 2022.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nUnited States Drug Enforcement Administration. \u201c<\/span>Facts About Fentanyl<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Accessed July 13, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nU.S. National Library of Medicine. <\/span>\u201cFentanyl.\u201d<\/span><\/a> MedlinePlus, January 15, 2021. Accessed July 25, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\n "},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":176}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/10319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/10319\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/10309"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/263"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fentanyl Mixing Trend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
How To Tell if Marijuana Is Laced With Fentanyl<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dangers of Mixing Marijuana & Fentanyl<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fentanyl Overdose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
What Other Drugs Can Marijuana Be Laced With?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Marijuana Addiction Treatment and Rehab in South Florida<\/h2>\n\n\n\n