Laced Weed Legal Issues

Laced weed is a term that refers to marijuana mixed or sprayed with other substances to either increase the weight of the product for a greater profit margin or to intensify the effects of the drug for a more potent high. The added substances can range from relatively harmless additives like sugar to illicit or illegal drugs such as methamphetamines.

How To Know if Your Weed Is Laced?

Identifying laced weed can be challenging as the alterations might not be visually evident. However, some signs might indicate your weed is laced.

Unusual Smell or Taste

Marijuana usually has an earthy, herbal scent and a distinctive taste. However, when it’s laced, the smell or taste can change significantly depending on the substance used. For instance, if the weed smells strongly of chemicals or if it tastes unusually sweet, harsh, or bitter, it may be laced. For example, marijuana laced with PCP can have a chemical smell and a bitter taste, while marijuana laced with cocaine may leave a numbing sensation in the mouth.

Altered Appearance

Regular marijuana typically appears green with tiny crystal-like trichomes. However, laced weed might look different. Marijuana laced with cocaine or crushed pills might have white powdery specks. If it’s laced with LSD, it could have a blotchy or liquid appearance due to the way LSD is typically applied. If your weed appears unusually shiny or is a different color (like a strange hue of blue, brown, or white), it could be laced.

Another sign of lacing could be if the weed is excessively sticky, which could be due to a liquid drug or even a harmful substance like glue being added.

Unexpected Side Effects

While the effects of marijuana typically include euphoria, increased appetite, and relaxation, the effects of laced weed can be much different and more severe. For example, marijuana laced with methamphetamines might cause increased heart rate, extreme agitation, and paranoia. If laced with LSD, users might experience intense hallucinations and altered sensory experiences. Marijuana laced with opioids might cause excessive drowsiness and slowed breathing.

Physical Reactions

The physical reactions to laced weed can be severe and vary widely based on the substance used. For instance, if the marijuana is laced with PCP, users might experience nausea, excessive sweating, or dizziness. If the weed is laced with a stimulant like cocaine or methamphetamines, it could cause chest pain, rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath.

Other symptoms of using laced weed could include severe headaches, confusion, loss of coordination, and, in extreme cases, seizures or loss of consciousness. These symptoms are medical emergencies and should be treated immediately.

Remember that these signs are not definitive proof that marijuana is laced, but if you suspect it might be, it’s safer not to use it.

What Is Often Used in Lacing Marijuana?

Lacing agents can vary widely and often depend on the desired effect. Common substances used to lace weed include PCP, cocaine, crack, LSD, methamphetamines, and even laundry detergent or glass fragments to add weight. Each of these substances can cause harmful side effects and health risks.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

PCP is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can cause severe physical and psychological reactions. It’s often sprinkled on marijuana, causing it to smell chemically and taste bitter. Side effects can include severe hallucinations, delirium, agitation, high blood pressure, and, in severe cases, seizures and even death.

Cocaine or Crack

Cocaine, a stimulant, and its cheaper variant, crack, are sometimes sprinkled on or mixed with marijuana to amplify the drug’s effects. This combination may lead to extreme anxiety, paranoia, and dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure. The combination can also increase the risk of addiction.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is a hallucinogenic drug often applied to marijuana in liquid form. It can cause intense hallucinations, altered sensory experiences, and, in some cases, psychosis.

Methamphetamines

Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that can be sprinkled onto marijuana. This combination can result in extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and potentially fatal changes in body temperature.

Laundry Detergent or Glass Fragments

These are usually used not to enhance the effects of the drug but to add weight and thus increase profit. Ingesting or inhaling these substances can lead to serious lung damage, mouth or throat injuries, and other harmful effects.

It’s important to note that lacing marijuana with other substances significantly increases the risks associated with drug use, including overdose, negative psychological effects, physical harm, and addiction. Because users often don’t know their weed is laced, they may unwittingly consume a dangerous amount of these substances.

What Are Some Legal Issues With Laced Weed?

In jurisdictions where marijuana is legal, this typically only applies to pure marijuana, not marijuana laced with other substances. Therefore, possession or distribution of laced weed could lead to more severe criminal charges. These charges could include possession or distribution of a controlled substance, depending on what the weed is laced with.

For instance, if marijuana is laced with methamphetamines or Ecstasy, the user or distributor could face charges related to these substances. These charges often carry heavier penalties than those for marijuana. In addition, if a person unknowingly sells or gives away laced marijuana, they could face severe criminal consequences if the user has an adverse reaction or overdose.

Consider the following scenario:

Alex, an occasional marijuana user, purchases a quantity from his usual dealer, Brandon. Unbeknownst to Alex, Brandon recently started lacing his marijuana with methamphetamines to enhance the drug’s effects and differentiate his product in the market.

One evening, Alex invites his friend, Casey, over. Casey is a first-time user but is eager to try. Alex shares some of his newly acquired marijuana with Casey, not knowing that it’s laced with methamphetamines.

Soon after smoking a laced blunt, Casey begins to feel agitated and paranoid, experiences a rapid heartbeat, and suffers a seizure—these are reactions not typically associated with marijuana but are common with methamphetamine use. Panicked, Alex calls an ambulance.

At the hospital, a toxicology report reveals the presence of methamphetamines in Casey’s system. Police are notified about the incident, and they question Alex about the origin of the marijuana. Alex truthfully discloses that he purchased it from Brandon, not knowing it was laced.

In this scenario, Brandon could face serious criminal charges for distributing methamphetamines, a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Depending on the state, penalties for methamphetamine distribution can include many years in prison and substantial fines.

Alex could also potentially face criminal charges. Even though he did not know the weed was laced, he shared it with Casey, which could be viewed as distribution. Furthermore, if Casey had died or suffered severe bodily harm as a result of the laced weed, Alex could face even more severe charges.

Should I Contact a Drug Lawyer?

If you’ve been charged with a drug-related offense, especially one involving laced weed, contact a skilled drug lawyer. Legal issues involving drugs can be highly complex and carry severe penalties. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, defend your rights, and work towards the best possible outcome in your case.

LegalMatch can assist you in finding the right lawyer for your needs. Our extensive directory of experienced and vetted lawyers ensures you’ll find a lawyer who handles drug offenses and is well-equipped to handle your case.