If you buy cannabis on the street, it can be quite common to end up purchasing contaminated weed.
Contaminated Cannabis
Marijuana purchased anywhere on the black market, even from a dealer who’s been selling pot for a long time, can easily contain contaminants such as fungus, bacteria, pesticides, dust, and dirt. Contaminated cannabis is usually not intentional, although it can pose significant health risks. People with respiratory issues such as asthma or allergic asthma, for example, can experience serious negative symptoms from smoking contaminated weed. If you purchase cannabis on the street, it can be somewhat common to purchase contaminated weed.
Laced Cannabis
Cannabis that has been intentionally laced with substances, however, is even more dangerous than contaminated weed. Unfortunately, there are nefarious dealers out there that intentionally add psychoactive substances and other materials to alter the natural appearance and effects of the cannabis they’re selling.
They do this mainly to provide other symptoms to give users the indication that their weed is superior and more potent, often with addictive substances to keep users coming back. Some people also lace weed to add weight for an increased profit or alter the appearance to make it seem better than what it is.
No matter the reason, laced cannabis can be very dangerous and even deadly. This might be rare, especially if you have a trusted source, although it can and does happen. Laced cannabis is more common in areas without access to legal marijuana.
Comment Substances Found in Laced Cannabis
It can be difficult to identify laced cannabis, so always be cautious if consuming marijuana from a source that is not well-known. Some of the more common substances used to lace cannabis include:
Cocaine
Some dealers lace their weed with cocaine to provide a stimulating effect. This can be referred to on the street as “Primo,” although the effects can be dangerous. Smoking a joint or bowl laced with cocaine can affect your heart, lungs, and brain simultaneously. It can constrict blood vessels and increase your heart rate, which, in worse cases, may lead to a stroke or heart attack.
LSD
Marijuana may be laced with LSD to provide hallucinogenic effects that alter a user’s awareness of their surroundings, feelings, imagery, and sensations. Joints laced with LSD are sometimes called rainbow joints and can produce powerful hallucinogenic effects immediately that might last for up to 12 hours.
PCP
PCP is a common term for Phencyclidine, also known as Angel dust, and is a strong hallucinogenic drug. PCP also produces mind-altering effects and can be referred to as super or dusted weed. Consuming even a small amount may cause feelings of detachment from your surroundings, aggressive behavior, delusions, and/or seizures and may lead to neurological damage.
Heroin
Heroin is one of the most dangerous and addictive substances, and unfortunately, it is not entirely uncommon to find cannabis laced with it these days. Smoking marijuana laced with heroin can cause slowed breathing, a slowed heart rate, and intense confusion.
Ketamine
Ketamine has been used as a drug slipped into drinks at clubs and has also been found in laced marijuana. Its medical purpose is as an anesthetic, although has been used recreationally as a sedative. Symptoms of smoking cannabis laced with ketamine include overheating, confusion, and dehydration.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a strong neuro-stimulant that has been used to treat obesity and ADHD, although is commonly abused recreationally. It can cause serious negative effects, including delusions, seizures, and hallucinations.
Fentanyl
We’ve all heard of the dangerous drug Fentanyl in the news, and for good reason. It is an extremely dangerous opioid and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, can be 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Just a small amount can cause respiratory distress and death. Just 2 mg of Fentanyl can be lethal, depending on a person’s body size and weight. Cannabis laced with Fentanyl may be uncommon, but according to the National Institutes of Health, NIH, the trend is increasing.
Formaldehyde/ Embalming Fluid
Formaldehyde is a substance that is included in embalming fluid, which funeral directors use to preserve dead bodies. It is commonly added to fake weed and can be found in laced cannabis as well. Smoking formaldehyde weed can cause headaches, chest pains, diarrhea, nausea, an increased heart rate, paranoia, and hallucinations.
Other Substances that Can be Found in Laced Weed
All of these substances have been found in laced cannabis from untrusted sources, and many have caused unintentional death or severe harm to unwitting individuals.
Glass
If that’s not bad enough, other materials have also been found in cannabis, such as crushed glass, which can replicate shiny trichomes and make the buds weigh more. This is obviously harmful to your health if smoked.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent can also add weight and make buds sparkle but can make you feel sick and cause difficulty breathing if smoked.
Food Coloring
Food coloring is sometimes added to cannabis to make it look more appealing with more vibrant colors of green or purple. You can tell if your weed has added coloring by breaking a bud in half. Usually, the coloring remains on the surface and doesn’t penetrate the whole bud.
Fuel Additives
Diesel fuel can be added to marijuana in an attempt to imitate diesel strains.
Identifying Laced Weed
It’s easy to tell if your pot is laced with glass by rubbing a bud against the surface of a CD. If it leaves scratches, it likely contains glass. Regular marijuana will not leave scratch marks.
Laundry detergent can be detected by placing some cannabis in a water glass and shaking, traces of suds will appear if it’s laced with soap. Taste and smell can help to identify other contaminants, but unfortunately, cannabis laced with harmful other drugs and substances are not easy to detect.
It is critically important that you purchase your cannabis from reputable sources, preferably dispensaries where stringent testing is conducted, and you are assured of a quality product free from harmful substances and contaminants. Better yet, buy quality cannabis seeds and grow your own; then, you know exactly what’s in your garden.
Mosca Seeds is a leading cannabis seed breeder recognized internationally for providing high-quality cannabis seeds. Check out the many seed types and strains, and come back often for new, exciting drops. Grow your own quality plants and always know the source and cleanliness of your cannabis.