JD Vance Says There’s Fentanyl In Our Teens’ Marijuana – So Shouldn’t We Legalize And Regulate Cannabis ASAP For Safety?
This article was originally published on Cannabis.net and appears here with permission.
During a recent campaign event with the Milwaukee Police Association in Wisconsin, Senator JD Vance (R-OH) made a provocative assertion that “fentanyl is in our marijuana bags that our teenagers are using.” This statement was not merely an isolated comment but part of a broader narrative that links the opioid crisis to the Biden administration’s border policies. Vance expressed deep concerns about the potential dangers that substances might pose to his children as they grow up, highlighting the need for a safer environment for youth experimentation with drugs. He articulated a parental anxiety that many share, fearing that a single mistake could have irreversible consequences for their children. By framing his argument in this manner, Vance aims to resonate with parents who are increasingly worried about the safety of their children in a world where drug use is prevalent. However, Vance’s claims have sparked significant controversy and pushback from various advocates and regulatory bodies, which argue that there is little to no evidence supporting the idea of fentanyl contamination in cannabis products. Experts from organizations like the Partnership to End Addiction emphasize that fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is destroyed when burned, rendering it ineffective if mixed with marijuana.
Furthermore, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not issued any alerts regarding fentanyl being found in cannabis, suggesting that the narrative surrounding fentanyl-laced marijuana may be more sensational than factual. As the debate continues, it raises critical questions about the intersection of drug policy, public health, and the responsibilities of lawmakers to base their claims on scientific evidence rather than anecdotal fears.
Reasons Why Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana is Unlikely
Several factors contribute to the unlikelihood of fentanyl being present in marijuana products:
Burning Destroys Fentanyl
Fentanyl is destroyed when burned, including when in a joint, blunt, or other means of smoking marijuana.
Even if fentanyl is mixed …