NEW YORK – New York law enforcement is warning the public that illegally purchased marijuana could be laced with fentanyl, according to Spectrum News.
That’s why the state’s governor is launching a public education campaign to promote legal purchases of pot from licensed dispensaries instead of from unregulated sources.
Earlier this year, Emily’s Hope reported that cases of fentanyl-laced marijuana are on the rise, with reports from police departments in Washington, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and New York. Since then, cases from other states have surfaced.
The Journal Times reports a recent incident in Wisconsin where a man, Shawn Tucker, was arrested for allegedly possessing more than three pounds of fentanyl-laced marijuana. Tucker faces charges of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute between 1,000 and 2,500 grams of THC, along with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of fentanyl and maintaining a location for drug trafficking. Upon searching his residence, authorities say they discovered baggies containing marijuana, which tested positive for both THC and fentanyl.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the U.S. In fact, a new Gallup Poll reveals that almost 30% of adults aged 35-54 admit they smoke marijuana, and half of all American adults say they’ve tried the drug at some point in their lives.
