Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid that has been a primary contributor to rising rates of overdose deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths involved people who took substances without realizing that they also contained fentanyl. Recent headlines about fentanyl-tainted marijuana have caused many people to wonder if it’s common to find fentanyl in weed.
Are People Putting Fentanyl in Weed?
One of the many dangers of illicit drug use is that you can never be certain what, exactly, is in the substance that you are taking. Some manufacturers and dealers will cut some drugs with other substances to increase their profit margins. Others may do so in order to provide their buyers with a more intense experience.
Given the strength of fentanyl and the ubiquity of marijuana, this has understandably raised questions about the potential of unknowingly being exposed to fentanyl in weed.
A quick online search for fentanyl in weed will return many articles warning that this is a pressing public health concern. But more careful research reveals that the danger of encountering fentanyl in weed may be far smaller than some sources would have you believe. For example:
- In November 2023, the Partnership to End Addiction, a widely respected organization that is devoted to addiction prevention and treatment, posted a detailed article that debunked claims about fentanyl in weed.
- In October 2023, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management released a flyer that used the words “misinformation” and “false” when describing reports of fentanyl in weed.
- In December 2023, addiction prevention expert Tasha Turner-Bicknell, DNP, of the University of Cincinnati referred to allegations of fentanyl-laced weed as “a myth” and noted that there is no evidence to support such statements.
- On February 9, 2024, the journal The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders published a letter to the editor that warned of the rising danger of fentanyl-laced weed. On March 3, the journal noted that the letter was being retracted at the request of its authors.
Dangers of Smoking Weed with Fentanyl in It
In addition to countering reports of weed being frequently laced with fentanyl, many trustworthy sources have also noted that it would be difficult for a person to ingest fentanyl that had been added to marijuana.
For example, both the Partnership to End Addiction and Turner-Bicknell explained that heat affects marijuana and fentanyl differently. The Partnership detailed the following three scenarios:
- If someone smoked fentanyl-laced weed in a joint, blunt, or pipe, the fire that is involved in that process would burn off the fentanyl.
- If someone attempted to use weed with fentanyl in a vaporizer (vape), the most likely outcomes (depending on the vape’s heat setting) are that the fentanyl would either not be vaporized or would be destroyed.
- If weed that contained fentanyl was baked into a brownie or another edible, there is a low risk of the fentanyl interacting with the brain or central nervous system of anyone who consumed the final product.
Important note: None of the reports or links in this post are meant to suggest that either weed or fentanyl are harmless substances. Nor are they intended to conclusively prove that there is no such thing as fentanyl-laced weed. We are simply attempting to accurately describe the current threat and place potential dangers in their proper context, so that people can make the most informed decisions.
How to Tell if Your Weed is Laced With Fentanyl
Fentanyl is so potent that a dose as small as two milligrams can be fatal. This means that if fentanyl is added to weed, it could be extremely difficult to detect simply by looking at it.
The best way to tell if cannabis or any other substance contains fentanyl is to use a fentanyl test strip. This process involves mixing a small amount of the drug in water, then dipping a specially treated strip of paper into the mixture.
For most fentanyl test strips, if two red lines show up after the strip has been dipped into the water, then the drug does not contain fentanyl. If one red line appears, the mixture includes fentanyl.
What Are the Symptoms to Look Out for if You Accidentally Came in Contact With Fentanyl?
Fears of unintentional exposure to fentanyl aren’t limited to people who worry that the drug may have been surreptitiously added to their marijuana.
Many individuals who use other opioids for recreational purposes take steps to ensure that they don’t inadvertently ingest the drug. Also, some healthcare providers and first responders have expressed apprehensions about accidentally encountering fentanyl.
If you believe that you or someone that you’re with may have ingested fentanyl, here are some symptoms to be on the lookout for:
- Constricted (pinpoint) pupils
- Elevated mood, to the point of euphoria
- Deep relaxation
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
- Extreme drowsiness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty staying awake
Someone who exhibits the following signs after ingesting fentanyl may have overdosed:
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to be awakened
- Extremely slow or shallow breathing
- Faint pulse
- Bluish coloration near lips and fingertips
As we have noted previously in this post, fentanyl overdose can be fatal. Anyone who experiences overdose symptoms needs immediate medical attention.
If you have Narcan, administering that nasal spray immediately can reverse the effects of an overdose involving fentanyl or any other opioids.
Once you administer the medication, you should still call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency responder in your area. Even after an overdose has been reversed with Narcan, a person can still be in danger. They should be thoroughly assessed by a qualified healthcare provider.
Reach Out to Phoenix Rising Recovery for Help With Addiction
Phoenix Rising Recovery is a trusted source of life-affirming care for adults who have become addicted to cannabis, fentanyl, or other substances.
Treatment options at our rehab center in Palm Springs, California, include detox, residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and outpatient services. Throughout your time with us, you can expect to follow an individualized treatment plan, engage in a variety of therapies, and work in close collaboration with a team of highly skilled professionals.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.