Police Walk Back Claims of Fentanyl-Laced Cannabis in Overdose Death
It’s no surprise that police in Warwick, Rhode Island have retracted their previous statements about a local woman’s overdose death being caused by exposure to “fentanyl-laced cannabis.” While fentanyl can be deadly, it is rarely found in cannabis. However, sensational headlines and dubious police reports continue to spread misinformation about the presence of fentanyl in marijuana.
Fentanyl-Tainted Cannabis Arrests Proven False by Lab Tests
In Brattleboro, Vermont, police made multiple arrests for distributing fentanyl-tainted cannabis, but lab tests later confirmed that no fentanyl was present in the seized marijuana samples. A similar situation occurred in Connecticut, where officials claimed that over three dozen overdose incidents were caused by fentanyl-laced cannabis. However, forensic analyses revealed that only one of these cases involved fentanyl ingestion, likely due to accidental contamination.
2023 Report: Misinformation About Fentanyl in Cannabis Still Widespread
According to a 2023 report from New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management, false reports of fentanyl-contaminated cannabis are still prevalent. The report states, “Anecdotal reports of fentanyl ‘contaminated’ cannabis continue to be found to be false.” A recent study from Harvard Medical School also found that fentanyl is almost never identified in illicit cannabis seizures.
Unregulated Cannabis Products May Have Quality Control Issues
While fentanyl-laced cannabis may be a myth, unregulated cannabis products can still pose risks. A scientific analysis of unregulated cannabis flowers found that 16% of samples contained detectable levels of mycotoxins and fungal metabolites. Some hemp-derived cannabinoid products have also been found to contain unlabeled cutting agents and dangerous heavy metals. Additionally, commercially available CBD products have been found to contain psychoactive additives and inaccurate levels of active ingredients.
The Solution: Eliminating Exposure to Adulterated or Mislabeled Products
The solution to these quality control issues is not to spread false claims about fentanyl-laced cannabis or other tainted weed. Instead, steps should be taken to ensure that consumers are not exposed to potentially adulterated or mislabeled products. This includes implementing regulations and quality control measures for cannabis products to protect consumers from potential harm.
