Marijuana, commonly known as weed, is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. Various parts of the plant can be used, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds, though not all contain psychoactive properties. The primary active compounds are cannabinoids, with THC being the most prominent. THC, classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance, is responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis. While some individuals develop an addiction to weed’s hallucinogenic effects on its own, the dangers increase significantly when marijuana is laced with other potent substances. Laced weed may contain powerful drugs or harmful additives, making it extremely risky to consume without knowing exactly what’s in it.
Laced weed is a prevalent concern that heightens one’s risk of addiction and overdose. The best way to overcome an addiction to cannabis and other substances is to seek treatment through a rehabilitation center. Let’s further discuss the dangers of laced weed so you can use caution.
What Is Laced Weed?
Marijuana is a natural plant-based substance that can cause psychoactive reactions (through THC) or non-intoxicating effects (through CBD) like relaxation or sleep. Street names for cannabis include:
- Weed
- Marijuana
- Pot
- Grass
- Ganja
- Mary Jane
- Herb
- Dope
Laced cannabis is marijuana that contains other ingredients, including substances, in the flowers or buds. Essentially, substance lacing refers to mixing other products into the original one so the substance is tainted. Most concerning is the fact that individuals have no idea what exactly they are consuming. Alarmingly, smoking or ingesting laced weed puts you at risk of an addiction to a drug you didn’t know you were taking, like heroin. It also puts you in danger of overdosing because you took too much of the drug you didn’t know was in your weed.
Why Do People Lace Weed With Other Substances?
Most commonly, drug labs lace their substances in order to use less of the product but still bulk up the size. Usually, lacing is done in the context of illicit drug selling, such as black-market drug rings. While this saves the drug seller money, it is a dangerous and dishonest behavior. Drug lacing aims to allow the drug seller to use less of their product but still make the same amount of money. Thus, they need to add some other ingredients to their product. Sometimes, laced black-market drugs are mixed with other substances, such as fentanyl. Other times, they are mixed with dangerous toxins that shouldn’t be consumed, like lead.
What Other Drugs Do People Lace Weed With?
Here are some of the substances that can potentially be used to lace weed:
- Fentanyl
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- Methamphetamine (meth)
- Ketamine
Unfortunately, laced weed is furthering the drug crisis. For example, fentanyl is one of the major causes of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. Weed laced with fentanyl is common and dangerous.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamWhat Are the Dangers of Laced Weed?
Certain substances do not mix well because they can cause serious health issues in your body. For example, Xanax and weed are not a safe combination because benzodiazepines and weed increase the others’ effects. Thus, if you take both together, you can experience intense sedation, panic attacks, or mental fogginess. The same concept applies to weed laced with other substances, like fentanyl-laced weed.
Simply put, you can experience adverse reactions to substances that are not to be interacting in your body at the same time. Additionally, substances are extremely powerful and have major effects on your brain and body that you may not even realize. When you take laced weed, you don’t know how much you’re taking, nor what reaction it will cause. Another risk of laced weed is the inability to track what substances and how much of them you have consumed. Thus, you put yourself at a high risk of overdose.
How to Tell If Weed Is Laced
In order to avoid laced weed, only ever buy from trusted and reputable sellers. Additionally, get your drugs tested if you can. Some signs that weed is laced are if it’s glossy, has a different smell, or has unusual coloring or markings. Always protect yourself by avoiding any cannabis that is questionable.
Get Help for Marijuana Abuse
As the use of marijuana becomes more widespread, the risk of consuming laced weed poses a growing threat. Unknowingly smoking marijuana tainted with substances like crystal meth, fentanyl, or even heroin can lead to severe health consequences, including addiction and life-threatening overdoses. These dangerous additives can trigger unexpected psychoactive effects and worsen existing mental health disorders like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. Statistically, 30 percent of cannabis users meet the criteria for a substance addiction, yet most people don’t seek help. Marijuana abuse is a risky pattern and will affect your life, like causing you to fail a drug test or miss social events.
Addiction Treatment Programs for Cannabis
Fortunately, comprehensive addiction treatment programs offer a pathway to recovery. Whether through partial hospitalization programs (PHP), residential rehab, or intensive outpatient programs (IOP), individuals receive tailored care to address both substance use and co-occurring disorders. Medical detox, including fentanyl detox, heroin detox, and cocaine detox, provides critical medical assistance to safely navigate withdrawal symptoms. If you’re dependent on weed, you’re more likely to settle for low-quality weed like laced marijuana. There’s no shame in needing help for a weed habit that got out of control. We can help you and your loved ones heal from addiction.
Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are effective in addressing the emotional triggers behind drug use. Family therapy, relapse prevention, and dual diagnosis treatment can also support long-term healing. For those transitioning out of rehab, sober living homes and alumni programs help maintain stability and accountability.
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Check Your CoverageSupporting a Loved One Battling Marijuana Abuse
Cannabis can be addictive on its own and is significantly more likely to lead to addiction and substance abuse when laced. Whether you are concerned for yourself or someone you care about, there are options for receiving help. Laced weed can lead to co-occurring disorders, where someone struggles with consecutive issues. These can include mental health struggles and substance use disorders. For example, laced weed, like marijuana laced with PCP, can cause you to develop an addiction to both cannabis and PCP.
Finding the right drug and alcohol addiction treatment can be life-changing for individuals seeking a path to recovery. Many centers offer comprehensive treatment programs designed to address the unique needs of each client. Services often include drug detox and alcohol detox to help individuals safely manage withdrawal symptoms in the early stages of sobriety. For those seeking flexibility while maintaining their daily responsibilities, an outpatient program provides structured care and support without requiring overnight stays. These programs empower individuals to build a strong foundation for lasting recovery while integrating healthy coping strategies into their everyday lives. We can help you get your loved one help by assisting them in choosing the right recovery center—whether offering women’s addiction treatment, men’s addiction treatment, or support for eating disorders—is essential for a lasting recovery.
Using Insurance for Rehab
Many treatment centers accept insurance plans, helping individuals access vital care. If you or a loved one is struggling with laced weed use, reach out today to verify your insurance and begin your journey toward freedom and healing while quitting laced weed. Simply reach out to us to discuss your circumstances, and we can get you connected to our rehabilitation programming!