Fentanyl in Marijuana

Marijuana is considered by many to be a fairly safe drug, as recreational drug use goes. These days, however, there is good reason to have your guard up. Fentanyl in marijuana is the latest wrinkle in the deadly fentanyl story of accidental overdose deaths totaling 73,000 in 2023. Read on to learn important information about the discovery of fentanyl in marijuana products.

The Facts About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is one of the most powerful synthetic opioids available, and was initially developed as an IV analgesic for use during surgeries. Later, fentanyl was found to be effective in controlling intense pain in individuals suffering from late stage cancer. The opioid binds to the receptors in the brain that control the pain messaging from the central nervous system. 

Fentanyl comes in various delivery forms, including nasal spray, sublingual strip, dermal patch, tablet, lozenge, and injectable liquid.

The effects of fentanyl include:

• Highly effective pain relief
• Sedation
• Deep relaxation
• Mild euphoria
• Slowed breathing rate
• Dizziness
• Confusion

Over the past several years, however, illicit copies of fentanyl have proliferated the drug trade and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The drug, which is 50 times more potent than morphine, is copied and manufactured in foreign labs and distributed nationwide. 

Finding Fentanyl in Marijuana

Fentanyl has been widely detected in illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine over the past several years. It has also been detected in prescription pill copies, such as counterfeit oxycodone and hydrocodone. The presence of fentanyl in these drugs has led to a spike of overdose deaths across the country for years now.

Recently, fentanyl-laced marijuana has been recovered in various states. The presence of fentanyl in marijuana is particularly worrisome, as this involves teens and young adults being put in danger. The combination of fentanyl, having sedating effects and causing respiratory depression, and marijuana, also with sedating effects, can be deadly. The drug interactions of fentanyl-laced marijuana can cause worrisome effects. These include:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Impaired cognitive function
• Impaired coordination
• Respiratory distress

The Risks Associated with Marijuana

Marijuana’s psychoactive effect is caused by the presence of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabinoid molecule. THC attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which causes many of the effects:

• Euphoric high
• Relaxation
• Slowed perception of time
• Dry mouth
• Hunger
• Auditory and visual effects or hallucinations
• Memory issues
• Dizziness
• Paranoid thoughts
• Magical thinking
• Anxiety

Many decades ago, pot had low THC content and was considered relatively safe. However, modern cannabis is much more potent and can cause the following risks:

• Decline of IQ
• Memory impairment
• Dissociative symptoms
• Anti-social behavior
• Loss of ambition
• Damage to the reproductive system
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Increased risk of heart attacks
• Cannabis addiction

The risk of encountering fentanyl in marijuana is increased the more frequent the marijuana use. Ongoing use of fentanyl-laced weed can lead to fentanyl and/or marijuana addiction.

Signs of Marijuana Addiction

Individuals who use cannabis regularly are at increased risk of developing addiction. The daily habit of using marijuana can result in addiction that is both physiological and psychological. 

The psychological addiction is evident when someone comes to believe they cannot function, sleep, or socialize without the drug. The physiological addiction is evident with cravings and obsessing over the drug.

Signs of marijuana addiction include:

• Marijuana cravings
• Obsessing over and hoarding the drug
• Risk-taking behaviors while under the influence
• Prioritizing marijuana use over social activities or work
• Increased tolerance, leading to higher consumption of marijuana
• Inability to stop using the drug
• Needing to use the drug daily or several times per day
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and stomach pain

The Dangers of Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a highly dangerous substance when misused recreationally. In medical settings, this is a Schedule II tightly controlled substance due to its inherent risks of abuse or addiction.

Street fentanyl, or analogues, is not monitored or controlled. In many cases, people buying their drugs have no idea that they contain fentanyl, such as the fentanyl in marijuana. They ingest what they think is a safe amount, not knowing that the drug is cut with fentanyl. This has led to the tragic opioid overdose crisis in recent years.

Risks of fentanyl use include:

• Accidental overdose. A tiny amount of the drug, about 2mg, can cause swift respiratory failure and death.
• Addiction. Taking fentanyl for an extended period can lead to opioid dependency of addiction.

Signs of Fentanyl Overdose

There is a high risk of overdose when fentanyl is ingested, whether used on its own or as an additive. The sedating effects of fentanyl and marijuana can cause life-threatening complications. Fentanyl poisoning is an urgent medical emergency that requires swift intervention. Naloxone is now widely available to reverse the sedating effects of the fentanyl. However, due to the sheer potency of fentanyl, several doses of it may be required to revive the person. 

Symptoms of fentanyl overdose include:

• Drop in blood pressure
• Slowed breathing rate
• Deep fatigue and grogginess
• Pinpoint pupils
• Loss of physical coordination
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Cold, clammy skin
• Limp body
• Impaired cognitive function
• Coma

Getting Help for Fentanyl and/or Marijuana Dependency or Addiction

Chronic use of fentanyl or marijuana may result in addiction of one or both drugs. A comprehensive addiction treatment program will assist the individual through the medical detox process and rehab.

Treatment includes the following:

• Psychotherapy sessions. Individual sessions using evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT can help you change your responses to cravings and triggers.
• Group therapy sessions. Small groups are a good source of social support among peers in recovery. A counselor provides topics for the group to discuss.
• Holistic methods. Holistic methods include art therapy, mindfulness meditation, yoga, equine therapy, dance movement, and acupuncture.
• Psychosocial. You’ll learn new recovery skills, such as coping tools and conflict resolution techniques, that help to strengthen recovery.

Wellness Retreat Recovery Center for Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Wellness Retreat Recovery Center provides residential and outpatient recovery programs for individuals struggling with marijuana and/or fentanyl addiction. Don’t wait to encounter fentanyl in marijuana – get help today by contacting us at (877) 237-1290.