Experts are expressing concern with a recent negative news story about cannabis currently in circulation. A viral article by KUTV, a local news station in Salt Lake City, Utah, claims that cannabis laced with fentanyl hit the streets. But a number of experts told an Ohio-based news station, WCPO, that the claims are unverified, probably false and most likely based on rumors.
KUTV described a “deadly drug” disguised to look like cannabis, but that is laced with fentanyl—an opioid that can easily cause overdoses. “I think a lot of death could come from this, I think—a lot of people stepping into the realm of overdose unexpectedly,” Chris Ruflin told KUTV, whom the station called a “recovering addict.” KUTV reporters admitted, however, that local law enforcement agencies said they haven’t seen that particular drug on the streets, when questioned about it. Only an unspecified internal law enforcement bulletin was mentioned as the source. The report went on to claim that cannabis “fakes” have been seen in Canada and Ohio.