Fentanyl-laced weed is a growing concern in the fight against opioid overdoses. While cannabis alone is not typically associated with overdose deaths, contamination with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin—poses a serious risk. According to the CDC, over 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl driving the majority of these fatalities. Though cases of fentanyl-laced weed are rare, they highlight the importance of awareness and vigilance when it comes to drug safety. Understanding these dangers can help you make informed decisions and stay protected.
At Pacific Sands, we want to help clients, their families, and the community understand the importance of safe practices when consuming certain substances. Today, we are going to discuss fentanyl-laced weed and provide some helpful tips on ensuring your or a loved one’s safety.
What Is Fentanyl-Laced Weed?
When any substance, such as weed, is laced with another, this indicates that the two were mixed. Typically, this is done to increase the substance’s potency or increase the dealer’s supply without sacrificing strength. Fentanyl is one of the most common substances that gets added to others because it saves the dealer’s costs due to it being cheap to produce. Weed is no exception to this practice.
Common Effects of Smoking Fentanyl-Laced Weed
If even a microscopic amount of fentanyl is present in weed, it can come with many life-threatening consequences. The combination of multiple substances is often unpredictable, even if you have taken those substances before.
When it comes to fentanyl and weed, these both act as depressants most of the time. Sometimes, depending on the type of weed you have, it might behave closer to a stimulant. Even if the weed you are consuming does act like a stimulant, it does not mean that the two substances will cancel each other out. Combined, these substance’s effects are amplified, and you will feel them both. Common side effects of fentanyl-laced weed include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Impaired body movement
- Altered senses
- Impaired thinking
- Headaches
The Risk of Fentanyl Overdose
A fentanyl overdose is a primary concern when it comes to someone who has consumed both fentanyl and weed at the same time. Your liver can only process so much of a substance at a time. Too much of a substance will start to be held in other parts of your body, like the bloodstream. This is where an overdose is most likely to occur.
An overdose is a medical emergency that leads to death if left untreated. The person experiencing an overdose should not be left alone, nor should it be assumed they can sleep it off. Someone who is experiencing an overdose will have many of the following signs:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Bluish fingernails or lips
- Unconsciousness
- Slowed breathing
- Chest pain
- Slowed heart rate
- Clammy skin
- Confusion
If someone is experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should remain calm and call 911 immediately. Stay on the line as you await the first responders’ arrival. This allows you to give them any updates on the person’s condition so they can relay that information to the first responders on their way. When they arrive, answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge.
Suppose you know that they have taken fentanyl or another opioid alongside the weed, or you have any reason to believe that they may have consumed those substances. In that case, naloxone is helpful in temporarily reversing the effects, which will buy the person more time. They will still need medical treatment to recover from the overdose fully. Keep in mind that naloxone will only reverse the effects of an opioid, but it will not harm the person if they haven’t taken the substance.
Do not be afraid to call for help. California’s Good Samaritan Law is designed to protect you and your loved one from substance-related charges in the event you are seeking medical help for an overdose. Getting help for your loved one as quickly as possible increases their chances of fully recovering.
Other Dangers of Smoking Fentanyl-Laced Weed
Other than a potential overdose, fentanyl-laced weed also has other potential dangers. One of those is that it is possible not to know if there is fentanyl in the weed you are consuming because all it takes is a small amount to achieve similar effects. If someone smokes their usual dosage of marijuana, they might end up taking more than they had believed. This increases the chances that they will experience an overdose. Other possible dangers include unconsciousness, weakened pulse, slowed breathing, and organ damage.
How to Protect Yourself Against Fentanyl-Laced Weed
Obtaining marijuana legally in California has a low risk of being laced with fentanyl as state and local licenses are required for a business to sell the substance. It doesn’t mean that it can’t be contaminated, especially if you got it from someone who claimed they obtained it legally.
With this in mind, it is best not to take any weed that does not come directly from a legal business. Weed that has been obtained illegally is not regulated, which means that it has a higher chance of being contaminated by fentanyl.
Keeping both naloxone and fentanyl test strips on hand is another way to ensure that you remain safe while consuming marijuana. In California, you can get both of these tools delivered to you at no cost through the California Department of Health Care Services. You might never know when you need either tool, but having them readily available increases your chances of survival in an emergency.
How to Test Weed for Fentanyl
As mentioned above, fentanyl test strips are a great tool to have on hand if you are going to consume marijuana. It is difficult to know for sure if a substance has fentanyl in it solely by your senses. This is because fentanyl is typically odorless and tasteless, though sometimes it might have a strong scent, or there might be a presence of white or blue flakes when it is combined with weed.
The best way to know if the weed you have has been contaminated with fentanyl is through fentanyl test strips. These do not tell you how much fentanyl is in the substance you are testing, but it does indicate if there is a presence in general.
To use fentanyl test strips, first dissolve your weed into half a teaspoon of water. Next, place your test strip into the water for about 15 seconds. Let it sit on a flat surface for 2 minutes. If there is fentanyl in the weed you have tested, a positive test will have 1 red line. It is recommended not to consume that substance. A negative test will have 2 red lines. This does not necessarily mean that fentanyl is not in the weed, just that it was not detected. No test is 100% accurate, so you should remain cautious and take small amounts.
Seeking Treatment for Substance Use Disorders in Santa Ana, CA
Ultimately, not taking weed at all is the best way to avoid it being laced with fentanyl. For some individuals, this might feel like an impossible request due to the presence of a marijuana use disorder. This condition makes it difficult for someone to stop taking a substance, and they might find themselves more concerned with weed than they are with their careers, relationships, or activities they once enjoyed doing.
Fentanyl detox makes this easier. Through treatment, you will receive compassionate treatment that will provide you with the tools and strategies to recover from this condition. You will interact with peers on a similar journey in a safe, supportive environment that encourages growth.
Pacific Sands is a high-end facility in Santa Ana, CA. We are solution-focused as we will work with you to explore what has worked for you in the past and figure out a way to help you find healing from a marijuana or fentanyl use disorder. Our primary therapist works 50 hours a week to guarantee clients receive the attention they deserve. Contact us at 949-426-7962 today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
