Dealing laced weed

Lacing marijuana with fentanyl has not always been a primary technique used by dealers but in states such as Connecticut, health officials are seeing a rise in overdose cases for patients who have claimed to only smoke weed. According to an NBC article, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has seen over 39 overdose cases - Plymouth being the first lab-confirmed case of fentanyl in marijuana "across the country". As weed becomes more and more legalized for recreational and medical use across the country, lacing weed with a more addictive substance allows for dealers to essentially stay in the game.

"It’s so easy to get, add in the addiction factor and it just keeps people coming to that same dealer,"

Brian Foley, the commissioner for the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, illustrate the hopes to steer the community away from illicitly buying weed but what happens when those who are not yet qualified to legally purchase marijuana inevitably find other ways to do so? How can this problem be more widely be addressed? What steps can be taken to protect marijuana users who are unaware and at risk of harmful overdose?