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From 2019 to 2020 in Oregon, there was a 74% increase in fentanyl-related overdoses. Even though fentanyl is more commonly mixed with opioids like heroin, it can still be found in other substances like weed. Is this something you should be concerned about?
Over 50% of adults in Oregon have tried marijuana at least once in their life. Although both personal and medicinal marijuana usage is legal here in Oregon, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t find a bad batch every once in a while. Here at Serenity Lane, we believe that it’s important to speak openly and honestly about substance use, what it looks like, and what you should be aware of in order to keep yourself safe. Today we’re going to look specifically at fentanyl-laced weed, what it does, and how you can look out for it.
The term “laced” normally refers to something contaminating another substance. Whatever the product is that is being added into the other substance is normally harmful or toxic, and might not be detectable to the average person. This doesn’t mean it won’t impact or alter their experience, however, nor does it negate the danger it could present. Another term that is similar that you might be more familiar with is “spiked.” While spiked specifically refers to substances being added to food or drink, the concept of it being a contamination or an unwanted substance still holds true.
When drugs are mixed together, it normally occurs during the production of said substance. It can also occur when a dealer “cuts'' a substance in order to divide it into smaller portions. Cutting is another example of lacing. When a drug is “cut” this usually means that other substances are added to it to save the person selling the substances money. For example, heroin is commonly found to be cut with things like flour, cornstarch, or fentanyl. Flour and cornstarch reduce cost, while fentanyl both reduces cost and changes the experience of the person taking it.
We’ve talked a lot about fentanyl so far, but what exactly is it and why is it harmful?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is highly potent. It is cheap to produce while still providing a “high,” so many dealers have been mixing it in with other substances in order to save costs without changing the outcome. The problem, however, lies in the potency. Because it is much stronger than most substances, when people unknowingly consume it, they take their normal dosage and potentially overdose due to having more in their system than they realized.
If you obtained your marijuana legally, the odds of it being laced with fentanyl are very low. This doesn’t mean it can’t be or that it couldn’t become contaminated in the future depending on where it’s been. Additionally, if you receive marijuana from someone else, even if they say they got it legally, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
One of the ways you can test your substances for fentanyl is through the usage of fentanyl testing strips, which are legal here in Oregon and can sometimes be obtained for free through various services in the state.
Additionally, if your marijuana smells odd, normally people claim strong scents such as gas or nail polish when discussing fentanyl, then it might be contaminated. Sometimes people also notice white or blue flecks within their marijuana, which could also be a sign of fentanyl.
Polysubstance use occurs when you have two or more different substances in your body at the same time. This doesn’t always have to be intentional. When you partake in a substance that was laced with something else, this becomes polysubstance use.
In the case of fentanyl and weed, they’re both depressants. Marijuana is a central nervous system depressant, while fentanyl impacts the opioid receptors in your brain.
When you are partaking in multiple substances at once, you will feel the effects of both of them. This means both the side effects of fentanyl as well as the side effects of marijuana. Some of the common side effects of fentanyl-laced weed include:
When you have too many depressants in your body, the effects of them can become amplified. The largest risk here, besides overdose, can come from how this alters your body’s behaviors. Most commonly this can be seen as slowed breathing, weakened pulse, and unconsciousness. In extreme cases, this can also lead to organ damage.
Another strong risk factor comes from a person consuming more than they intend to because they’re unaware of another substance being laced with their original one. With fentanyl, this is especially common due to its potency. It only takes a very small amount to achieve the same results as it might with weed.
Because of this, a person might smoke their normal amount of marijuana without realizing it will impact them more than they accounted for. This can lead to an increased risk of overdose.
An overdose occurs when you have more substances in your body than it is able to both process and safely hold. Your liver is the primary processing center for toxins within your body, and it can only process so much at a time. If you continue to put more of a substance in your body than your liver can handle, the substance will start to go into other parts of your body like the bloodstream.
Any substance that we consume that alters our state, no matter how legal, is still a toxin within the body. This means that in large amounts, it can become a problem.
Fentanyl overdoses do not have to be fatal if you react properly and seek medical attention. In order to do this, it’s important to know the signs of an overdose:
In Oregon, the Good Samaritan Law prevents you from getting into legal trouble for seeking medical help for an overdose. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, don’t be afraid to get help.
Here at Serenity Lane, we offer treatment for all substance use. We’ve been helping Oregonians get back onto the path they want to be on and reach their healing goals since 1973. If you find that you’re unable to reduce the amount of substance you partake in, it’s affecting your life, or it’s beginning to negatively impact your health, we can help.
We offer everything from detox to inpatient and outpatient treatment. In the case of fentanyl, detox can be helpful in safely getting the substance out of your body while properly managing withdrawal symptoms. This allows you to better focus on your recovery instead of the side effects.
Inpatient and outpatient treatment work to teach you the skills you need to properly address things like triggers, mental health, and other common sources of substance use. We want to work with you in order to help you achieve your goals. Your success is our success.
If you have any questions about our fentanyl treatment programs, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-855-381-6111. Our team here at Serenity Lane is ready to help.
What are the side effects of smoking weed laced with fentanyl?
Some of the common side effects include confusion, altered senses, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
How dangerous is it to smoke weed laced with fentanyl?
Fentanyl is much more potent than marijuana, so it’s easy to consume more than you realize accidentally. This can increase your risk of overdose.
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