Fentanyl-laced cannabis cited as causing recent overdoses in Tennessee

Officials in Winchester, Tenn. last week responded to reports of three fentanyl overdoses. The powerful synthetic opioid was in cannabis in two of the cases, making it likely the individuals involved had no idea they were consuming the dangerous substance.

Cannabis is still illegal in Tennessee, but it is known to be used in a recreational sense, especially during the summer music festival months, Winchester police report. Officials hope that by warning the public about the potential danger, further overdose issues can be avoided, especially with upcoming music festival Bonnaroo being hosted in nearby Coffee County.

Laced cannabis is still relatively rare in the U.S., and rarer still in Canada. There are multiple reasons that drug dealers cut their products with other substances, namely cost savings.

There is risk in obtaining cannabis from illegal sources, so it is crucial for safety reasons to know what weed can be laced with and how to spot it.

 

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