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You might have heard some worrying stories or rumors saying that marijuana may be laced with fentanyl, a powerful opioid linked to many overdose cases. But it’s important to look closely at these claims and figure out if they’re true.
The short answer is that there is no solid evidence that marijuana is being laced with fentanyl. What is more concerning are the substances where fentanyl is found, like fake pain pills, heroin, cocaine and meth. Knowing what’s true and what isn’t is key to understanding what the real threats of fentanyl are and how we can keep our loved ones safe.
Misleading information
Some public health agencies, law enforcement, and media outlets have reported claims of fentanyl-laced marijuana, but lab tests show these claims were errors. Unfortunately, while these incorrect claims often make headlines, the corrections usually don’t get as much attention.
For instance, in December 2021, there was a media report that two Springfield Massachusetts teens had been admitted to the hospital after having overdosed on marijuana laced with fentanyl. The unverified story spread quickly and was later found to be false.1
Connecticut’s Department of Public Health issued a public health alert in November 2021.2 They reported 39 overdoses with suspected fentanyl-laced marijuana that were reversed using naloxone. The individuals involved stated that they had never used any opioids. However, upon further investigation, they uncovered that 30 of the 39 people had histories of opioid use. Further testing confirmed that there was only one case of fentanyl mixed with cannabis.3 The investigators believe this was the result of the seller packaging marijuana on the same table that had been used to package fentanyl resulting in cross-contamination. It was not a deliberate intent to mix the two substances.
Smoking fentanyl
Although the term “smoking” is associated with fentanyl use, it’s most often vaporized and the fumes are inhaled. Fentanyl is typically smoked on foil or with a glass pipe. When using foil, people place fentanyl on top of a piece of the foil and apply heat to the underside. This produces vapor that is inhaled through a straw-like device or “tooter.”4
Dabbing is another method for smoking fentanyl, though it is typically associated with marijuana concentrates like wax or shatter. A device called a nail is intensely heated and touched to fentanyl to produce vapors that are inhaled through the cool end of the tube. For more information on how fentanyl is smoked, including pictures, click here.
Mixing fentanyl and marijuana
Harm reduction experts have reported that some people are sprinkling fentanyl on their cannabis although they state that “it’s a waste of the fentanyl.” There are many conflicting views on whether fentanyl will have any effect if smoked with cannabis in a joint or blunt. Some sources report that fentanyl will be destroyed at temperatures used for smoking cannabis in this way.
However, Dr. Dan Ciccarone, Justine Miner Professor of Addiction at UC San Francisco, states that fentanyl salts are very heat tolerant. The temperature at which it vaporizes is lower than its destruction point, which means that it is possible to smoke fentanyl. He says, “Fentanyl can be smoked with cannabis… it just isn’t commonly done yet.”
At present, most commonly available vape pens don’t reach temperatures over 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Vape pens would have to reach significantly higher temperatures to vaporize fentanyl.
2024 National Drug Threat Assessment
The Drug Enforcement Agency publishes an annual report on their concerns as to what is in the U.S. drug supply. The DEA’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment highlights that the main threat comes from fentanyl being mixed into other drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Additionally, they have raised the alarm that fentanyl has been found in fake pills that look like prescribed pain and anxiety medications. Their report does not mention any concerns about marijuana laced with fentanyl.5
Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued alerts about fentanyl-laced fake pills like Percocet and Vicodin for pain relief, and Xanax to address anxiety.6 They have also warned about fentanyl laced with Xylazine, which is a drug used to sedate animals.7
Overdose rates are falling
Between 2023 and 2024, overdose rates decreased by 14% in the United States.8 Given that over 50 million people in the U.S. who use marijuana, we would see overdose rates far higher than they are today if fentanyl was in the marijuana supply.9
It’s more important than ever to consider where we get our information. Sometimes, news stories want to grab our attention by making things sound scarier than they really are. When it comes to the idea of marijuana mixed with fentanyl, trust information from reliable sources, like scientists and health experts. By looking at the facts, we can make better decisions about our health and not get caught up in unnecessary worry. If you’d like to learn more about fentanyl, fake pills and how to protect loved ones, click here.