JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Concerned about illegal drugs, Mississippi authorities took an interest in vape shops and gas stations selling products including the cannabis extract CBD.

Laboratory testing by the state revealed that more than a dozen products contained dangerous synthetic marijuana. Three more contained the opioid fentanyl.

The Associated Press gathered the results for an investigation into how some operators are capitalizing on the CBD boom by substituting cheap street drugs for the real thing.

That practice has sent dozens of people nationwide to emergency rooms. Unlike real CBD, synthetic marijuana gives an intense high.

In all, lab testing shows spiked vapes or edible products marketed as CBD in at least 13 states.

Industry representatives acknowledge spiking is an issue, but say many companies are reputable.

SPIKED CBD

Vapes spiked with illegal drugs show the dark side of CBD craze

An Associated Press investigation shows a dark side to booming sales of the cannabis extract CBD. Some people are substituting cheap and dangerous street drugs for the real thing.

As a result, vapes and other products marketed as helping a range of ailments instead have sent dozens of people to emergency rooms because they were spiked with synthetic marijuana.

Lab testing commissioned by AP shows some CBD vape products available at stores or online contain synthetic marijuana commonly known as K2 or spice. Unlike real CBD, which doesn’t have psychoactive qualities, synthetic marijuana gives an intense high.

Industry representatives acknowledge spiking is an issue, but say many companies are reputable.

But with drug enforcement authorities busy fighting the opioid epidemic, manufacturers of spiked products operate with impunity.