Is Your Weed Laced with Other Drugs?

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Pinpointing the signs of laced or contaminated marijuana

Co-authored by Lauren Forsch and Annie Johnston

Last Updated: July 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Spotting Laced Weed
|
• "Laced Weed" Meaning
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• Common Substances in Laced or Contaminated Weed
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• What to Do If Your Weed Is Laced
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• How to Avoid Laced Weed
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• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

With recreational and medicinal weed becoming legal in more states, safely obtaining high-quality, pure cannabis is easier than ever; however, that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to be genuine anywhere you buy it. While rare, it is possible to unknowingly get your hands on marijuana laced with other substances. Let’s dig a little deeper to learn more about how to spot laced weed, what weed is commonly laced with, and what to do if you ingest it.

Signs of Laced Weed

Genuine weed typically has a grassy or leafy aroma, but laced weed often has a pungent, unnatural scent reminiscent of nail polish, gas, or paint. White specks may be present or fall off laced weed. To accurately test weed for fentanyl and other substances, use a fentanyl test strip or at-home test kit.

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Section 1 of 5:

How can you tell if weed is laced?

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1. 1
   The weed may have a chemical smell. Typically, marijuana has a natural, earthy, grass-like smell. If you pick up on any chemical-like or unnatural type of scent, your marijuana may be laced with another substance or have contaminants in it.

   • Some people also report a strong chemical odor, similar to paint thinner, which they associate with fentanyl contamination. However, it's not recommended to try tasting or smelling the substance, as those are common ways fentanyl is ingested.
2. 2
   The color is too dull or overly bright. Many strains of weed have complex color differences, such as disbursements of red, orange, blue, or purple, making it tricky to spot bad weed based on color alone. However, laced weed can look very off. For example, it may appear to have strange spots or look suspiciously dull or obnoxiously bright.
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3. 3
   White specks might fall off of laced weed. If you notice white specks in your weed, it may indicate the presence of another drug. Also, natural weed is mildly sticky, so nothing should be flaking off. In fact, when you touch genuine weed, the trichomes may stick to your fingers, so any white or powdery substances falling off on their own could mean the weed is laced.
4. 4
   The effects after smoking it feel different from typical weed. The effects of laced marijuana can vary widely depending on the type and amount of other drugs present. Weed laced with drugs like cocaine, meth, or PCP often produces the opposite—a rush of energy and hyperactivity instead of a calm, drowsy high. Other common side-effects of laced weed include:

   • Experiencing no psychoactive effects at all as a result of additives
   • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of illness
   • Difficulty breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, or feelings of derealization
   • Significant alterations in heart rate or blood pressure
   • Insomnia, decreased appetite, nervousness or jitteriness, or irritability
   • Psychotic effects like hallucinations, delusions, confusion, or disorientation
5. 5
   Test your weed with a drug testing kit to know for sure. If you have any doubts about the contents of your cannabis, use an at-home testing kit or testing strips. These kits can reliably detect the presence of dangerous substances like fentanyl or methamphetamine. Simply take a small sample and follow the kit's instructions.

   • While it may seem like an extra step, it's better to be cautious and ensure your cannabis is free of harmful or dangerous adulterants.
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Section 2 of 5:

What does “laced weed” mean?

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1. Laced weed is marijuana mixed with another substance. Marijuana is less likely to be intentionally laced compared to other drugs, but it does occasionally happen. Drug dealers will sometimes lace marijuana with stronger, more addictive substances. The goal is typically to add weight and volume to the weed so it appears more substantial, allowing dealers to charge higher prices.

   • In some cases, low-quality marijuana is intentionally laced with another drug to heighten the psychoactive effects.

Section 3 of 5:

Common Substances Weed is Laced With

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1. 1
   PCP PCP is a dangerous dissociative hallucinogenic drug that has been known to be added to marijuana, creating a product with stronger or more varied psychoactive effects. While some users may be unaware their cannabis is laced, many dealers openly sell this combination under various names such as "dusted weed," "fry," "super weed," and "wet weed."
2. 2
   Opiates like heroin and fentanyl Some marijuana may be laced with the highly addictive and dangerous opioids. Individuals who consume this adulterated marijuana can experience severe, potentially life-threatening effects. They may become extremely drowsy, confused, and experience slowed breathing and heart rates, potentially leading to unconsciousness.
3. 3
   Embalming fluid Dealers may lace weed with embalming fluid in an attempt to increase the drug's potency and produce more intense psychoactive effects. However, this practice is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including cognitive impairment, memory loss, and even death. The neurological damage can have potentially fatal effects.
4. 4
   Lead or other metals In states where marijuana cultivation is legal, soil and substrate analyses have revealed that the plants absorb heavy metals from the growing medium. Additionally, efforts to produce cannabis with higher THC potency often lead to elevated levels of heavy metals and pesticides in the final product.
5. 5
   Glass Reports have surfaced of marijuana contaminated with glass particles, posing a serious health risk to those who smoke or consume edible marijuana products. If you suspect your marijuana may be tainted, you can test for the presence of glass by rubbing a small amount on a CD. This simple test could help identify a potentially dangerous contaminant before use.
6. 6
   Fungus and bacteria Testing has revealed that legal cannabis sold in states like Colorado often contains high levels of harmful bacteria and fungi, posing potential health risks to consumers. While these contamination issues do not stem from intentional lacing, they still do happen.
7. 7
   LSD LSD is an extremely potent hallucinogenic substance that produces profound psychoactive effects even in tiny amounts. While heating LSD-laced marijuana would likely destroy the LSD, some users may dip the end of a joint in liquid LSD and then place it on their lips. This could allow the LSD to be absorbed into the body, potentially leading to the drug's powerful hallucinogenic consequences.
8. 8
   Methamphetamine Marijuana laced with methamphetamine (crystal meth) can cause dangerous effects, including confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and potential seizures.
9. 9
   Ketamine When taken, ketamine typically produces dissociative and stimulant effects that can be dangerous for users unaware they have ingested the drug. Ketamine use also frequently leads to overheating and severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening.
10. 10
    Cocaine Some users intentionally lace marijuana with cocaine, including crack cocaine, in order to experience a unique combination of stimulant and sedative effects. This practice, while not commonly reported in commercial drug sales, does occasionally occur as individuals sometimes lace the drugs themselves for personal use.
11. 11
    Laundry detergent Mixing marijuana with laundry detergent can make the drug appear higher quality, but smoking this laced substance can make users seriously ill.
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Section 4 of 5:

What to Do If Your Weed Is Laced

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1. 1
   Laced marijuana can be fatal, so seek medical attention. You can't die from a marijuana overdose, but if too much of a different illegal drug gets into your system, that's a different story. The contents of street drugs are often unknown, putting users at risk. Even legally purchased marijuana may contain unsafe contaminants.

   • Ultimately, anyone who buys marijuana from unregulated sources faces the danger of receiving a tainted or substandard product.
2. 2
   Call 911 if you experience symptoms of an overdose. You may be hesitant to go to the hospital after illegally smoking marijuana, but OD symptoms are a medical emergency. If you experience symptoms of a drug overdose, such as rapid heartbeat, slowed breathing, extreme confusion, paranoia, slurred speech, or drastic changes in body temperature, call 911immediately.

   • When weed is laced with strong opiates like heroin or fentanyl, Narcan or Naloxone kits can prevent an overdose. If you suspect your weed is laced with heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers, having one of these kits on hand may save your life. You can purchase them OTC at a local drugstore.
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Avoid Laced Weed

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1. 1
   Purchase your weed through a dispensary. Purchasing cannabis from legal, regulated dispensaries is the safest option. Dispensary products undergo rigorous testing, labeling, and quality control processes, ensuring consistent potency, purity, and consumer safety. With lab-tested and clearly labeled products, you can buy weed without the worry.
2. 2
   Thoroughly inspect any product you buy. Even if you have been purchasing weed from the same dealer for a long time and completely trust them, it's always best to err on the side of caution and check out your marijuana before smoking it. Visually scan over it for any unusual coloration, specks, or powder. If it looks glossy or plastic-like, do not purchase it.
3. 3
   Never purchase weed from someone who will not let you inspect it. A reputable weed dealer will stand behind their product and go above and beyond to make sure you're getting nothing but quality. If a dealer won't allow you to smell or take a look at the cannabis they're selling you, this can be a cautionary sign that there's something they don't want you to see before they get your money.
4. 4
   Do not buy weed that looks or smells unusual. While there are many various strains of weed that all appear and smell different, none of them should smell putrid or like chemicals. Weed is known for its earthy, skunk-like smell, which is often very rich. If there is anything about the weed you're about to purchase that seems off to you, do not buy it.
5. 5
   Throw away any weed that seems suspicious or off. Sure, it's not fun having to toss weed you bought with your hard-earned money, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Should you happen to discard suspicious looking weed, don't buy from that dealer again.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do I recover from a weed that's been laced?

  

  Lauren Forsch
  CBD Expert

  Lauren Forsch is a CBD Expert and Founder of Popped.NYC based in New York. Popped.NYC is a cannabis company and lifestyle brand that creates CBD products designed to provide people with relief and promote wellness, self-care, and health. With first-hand experience of managing physical pain and anxiety, Lauren found relief from plant-based, CBD remedies. She created Popped.NYC from a desire to help people manage their pain and offers consultations and a wide variety of handmade, THC-free, vegan CBD products.

  

  Lauren Forsch

  CBD Expert

  Expert Answer

  If you suspect you’ve smoked laced weed, the best thing to do is stay calm and hydrate. Drink plenty of water to help flush out any unwanted substances, and eating something, especially something with a bit of fat, can also help. But sometimes, eating or drinking may re-trigger the high, so don't be shocked if you feel it again. The best thing to do is to rest, get comfortable, relax, and let your body process everything naturally. Taking a nap can be helpful, and always buy weed from someone you trust. Don't take weed if you don’t know where it came from. It can be dangerous, especially if you have any health issues.

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