Synthetic Cannabinoids Smuggled on Paper Linked to Overdoses in US Prisons

Synthetic cannabinoids, man-made substances designed to mimic the effects of THC, the primary active component of cannabis, have been increasingly detected in fatal overdoses among incarcerated individuals in US jails and prisons. According to a recent alert from the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE), these drugs are often smuggled into correctional facilities on common paper items such as letters, greeting cards, books, postcards, and magazines.

The CFSRE has previously warned of drug-soaked paper strips causing overdoses among incarcerated individuals.

In many cases, the paper is laced with a combination of synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs. Fox News reported that officials noted these mixtures often include toxic chemicals. The drug-laced papers have been found to cause severe health outcomes, including central nervous system depression and bradycardia.

in Chicago, which houses nearly 5,000 detainees, has reported increasing instances of smugglers soaking paper with synthetic drugs and sending them through mail or visitors.

In 2023, the jail recorded 18 deaths of prisoners in custody, with five caused by overdose and three involving synthetic cannabinoids, according to Cook County Medical Examiner records. To address the trend, jail administrators implemented a ban on paper in April 2023.

In 2024, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart stated that overdose deaths were lower that year, but drug-soaked paper smuggling remained an issue.

In July 2024, the jail seized three pieces of paper suspected to be laced with drugs. Testing by the CFSRE revealed that the papers contained up to 10 separate synthetic drugs, including protonitazene, a synthetic opioid up to three times more powerful than fentanyl, and xylazine, a powerful animal sedative.