Written by Dario Sabaghi
Published in Weed World magazine issue 168
Image source: Paid for on license via Adobe
Several news reports and social media posts in the United States have claimed the presence of fentanyl-laced cannabis in the illegal market in recent years.
News reports have documented cases of people overdosing where fentanyl-laced cannabis was implicated. However, in most instances, follow-up investigations found no connection between the overdose and contaminated cannabis.
But despite numerous debunking articles, such reports have perpetuated a myth surrounding cannabis.
Indeed, the belief in the existence of fentanyl-laced cannabis in the illegal market persists and remains controversial.
To determine the validity of these claims, it’s essential to understand what fentanyl is and why it has posed significant risks to society, leading to a nationwide crisis.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. While safe when prescribed and used correctly, illegally manufactured fentanyl has surged, becoming a primary driver of U.S. drug overdoses. Its extreme potency makes it appealing to mix with other drugs, increasing their addictive and lethal potential. This illicitly produced fentanyl, mimicking heroin’s effects, is cheaper and more accessible than many opioids, contributing significantly to overdoses.
Many overdose victims are unaware they’ve consumed fentanyl. Detecting its presence in drugs is challenging, as it’s invisible, tasteless, and odorless, necessitating fentanyl test strips for detection. Over 150 individuals die daily to overdoses from synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention[1].
Although rumors of fentanyl-laced cannabis have grown recently amid the opioid crisis, many overdose reports attributing incidents to fentanyl-laced cannabis lack evidence upon analysis.
For instance, initial reports from the Connecticut Department of Public Health suggested nearly 40 overdoses from fentanyl-laced marijuana in 2022. Still, investigations later confirmed only one case due to accidental contamination—the majority of the 39 overdoses involved prior opioid users[2].
Claims of fentanyl-laced cannabis often lack substantial evidence. Instances where individuals overdose on fentanyl alongside cannabis could be attributed to concurrent opioid use.
In 2021, Vermont police, in collaboration with federal agencies, arrested individuals for distributing purported fentanyl-laced cannabis. However, subsequent lab tests revealed no fentanyl in the seized cannabis samples[3].
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
[2] https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Dozens-of-CT-overdoses-were-falsely-linked-to-16821517.php
[3] https://hightimes.com/news/no-fentanyl-found-in-cannabis-after-all-vermont-police-say/
Local news stories have occasionally gone viral, reporting overdose incidents linked to fentanyl-laced cannabis. Law enforcement authorities suggest that dealers might lace cannabis with fentanyl amid concerns about synthetic opioids in the illicit drug market. However, concrete evidence supporting these claims remains limited and anecdotal.
In 2019, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the Trump administration’s opioid crisis team, claimed that cannabis users often bought fentanyl-contaminated products illegally. However, a senior Drug Enforcement Administration chemist later refuted this claim, stating that the agency had never seized cannabis testing positive for fentanyl[1].
Cannabis from illicit sources can vary in quality and purity. Occasionally, unethical sellers might adulterate cannabis with other substances, although fentanyl is seldom involved due to its price, which is generally more expensive than cannabis. Some products might contain harmful molds or contaminants. Additionally, there are instances where products mimic cannabis effects using more hazardous chemicals.
But although concrete evidence linking fentanyl to cannabis remains scarce, it’s essential to recognize that the risk isn’t entirely nonexistent.
Accidental contamination scenarios suggest that a drug seller’s varied products, including cannabis, could become tainted with fentanyl.
But although such scenarios are plausible, the likelihood appears extremely low, akin to a rare occurrence.
To address the misconception of fentanyl-laced cannabis, some experts emphasize that fentanyl breaks down when burned, such as when smoking joints or blunts. Even if combined with cannabis, its effects would be nullified when smoked. Most available vape pens operate below 450 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve substances like cannabis; they would need to reach around 900 degrees Fahrenheit to vaporize fentanyl. Consequently, any fentanyl present would be rendered ineffective before absorption. Regarding edibles, the liver’s breakdown process minimizes any risk since fentanyl has limited access to the brain[2].
While some police and media sources have reported fentanyl in cannabis, subsequent lab tests debunked these claims. However, these corrections often receive less attention than the initial, misleading reports.
The misconception that cannabis often contains fentanyl is generated from various factors: misinformation, alarming narratives, and heightened concerns about the opioid crisis. While occasional instances link fentanyl to other illicit drugs, evidence supporting widespread fentanyl contamination in cannabis remains minimal. Sensational media stories and hearsay can magnify these misconceptions, causing unnecessary concern among cannabis users and the public. Moreover, genuine concerns about opioids like fentanyl can sometimes blend factual risks with baseless rumors, sustaining this persistent myth.
[3] https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/danvergano/marijuana-laced-fentanyl-myth
