In a bizarre turn of events, the town of Lice, located in Turkey’s Diyarbakır province, was engulfed in thick cannabis smoke after police burned more than 20 tons of seized marijuana — inadvertently getting thousands of residents high.

The incident occurred on April 18, when Turkish authorities destroyed 20 tons, 766 kilos, and 679 grams of cannabis collected from anti-drug operations in 2023 and 2024. The burn took place in the town centre, sparking a local health crisis and widespread public complaints.

“For days, we couldn’t open our windows,” said a frustrated resident. “Our children got sick. We’re constantly going to the hospital.” Symptoms reported included dizziness, nausea, and even hallucinations

Cannabis Burning

The cannabis destroyed was reportedly worth over 10 billion Turkish Lira (approx. $261 million). Adding to the public outrage, the authorities arranged the cannabis bags to spell “LICE” before setting them alight — a move many considered tasteless and offensive.

Yahya Öğer, Chairman of the Yeşil Yıldız Association, criticized the destruction method, calling it “inappropriate and harmful.” He emphasized the need for controlled incineration in filtered factories rather than open-air burning in populated areas.

“Just like passive smoking harms bystanders, burning narcotics in public spaces can cause serious intoxication,” Öğer warned. “This incident should be a wake-up call for better disposal protocols.”

Despite the anti-drug success, the unintended consequences have raised questions about public safety, health hazards, and proper procedures for drug disposal in Turkey.