Our Concerns About the Use And Dangers of Fentanyl
Fentanyl—a powerful synthetic opioid—is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine or heroin, posing a deadly threat when mixed with cannabis products without knowledge.
In Virginia, overdose deaths involving fentanyl have skyrocketed, growing over 20-fold since 2013—with 1,951 Virginians losing their lives to fentanyl in 2022 alone. One Pill Can Kill.
Nationwide, fentanyl was responsible for 73,654 deaths in 2022, equating to approximately 200 fatalities per day. USAFacts.
Why this matters for cannabis users:
Illicit dealers may disguise fentanyl as or mix it into cannabis, making it all too easy to unknowingly ingest a lethal dose.
A single pill containing just 2 mg of fentanyl can be fatal. One Pill Can Kill
Teens and young users are especially at risk: a shocking 77% of teen overdose deaths in 2021 involved fentanyl One Pill Can Kill.
Say Their Names
To honor those lost, we want to remember the names of loved ones impacted by cannabis-laced fentanyl. If you'd like to share and memorialize someone here, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Developing Brains at Risk
Emerging research emphasizes that cannabis use can adversely affect the developing brain—especially among adolescents and young adults.
Studies link early or heavy cannabis use to impaired judgment, reduced cognitive function, and lingering mental health concerns.
While fatalities directly linked to cannabis remain rare, there are documented risks to brain development and safety-sensitive activities, such as driving or operating machinery. nsc.org, NCBI.
The Shadows of Illegal Distribution
Across Virginia and the U.S., street dealer networks and illicit outlets are surging, distributing unregulated cannabis products often mixed with contaminants or other substances. This market creates a parallel supply chain outside safe, legal oversight.
Meanwhile, acceptance of cannabis among youth has risen sharply—making them more likely to encounter and use unregulated products. And Virginia, like many states, is seeing a flood of cannabis shipped from other regions, bypassing local safety checks.
Cannabis vs. Other Risks: Understanding the Real Story
Cannabis can impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination—contributing to workplace injuries or crashes—though generally less so than substances like alcohol. NCBI, nsc.org, Wikipedia.
The concern isn’t that cannabis itself is lethal—it’s how its misuse, adulteration, and acceptance among youth place our communities at rising risk.
Here are some important resources and stories to help you dig deeper:
Documentary: A Closer Look at the Fentanyl Crisis — A must-watch that explores how fentanyl is infiltrating various substances.
Scientific & Policy Reports:
In Summary
The urgent concern isn’t cannabis itself—but the extreme risks from fentanyl contamination, especially among youth.
Developing brains remain particularly vulnerable to cannabis’ long-term impacts, which are still being understood.
The rise of illicit distribution networks, combined with increasing accessibility, puts communities and families at risk.
Join Us in Shaping Virginia’s Cannabis Future
Help us protect families, promote responsible cannabis laws, and build a safer Virginia.
Your voice matters — take action today!