Beware Marijuana Candy On Halloween, County Officials Warn

Gloucester County officials are warning parents and trick-or-treaters to be on the lookout for marijuana-infused candy and other drugs this Halloween.

“The state Department of Health warns that there is a significant presence of marijuana candy and other edible forms in New Jersey and nearby states,” Gloucester County Freeholder Jim Jefferson, liaison to the Addictions Task Force, said. “These candy-like edible forms of marijuana poses a great risk to children, who may accidentally receive marijuana candy during Halloween and ingest it without checking first.”

Marijuana candy is illegal in New Jersey and contains Tetrahydrocanna- binol (THC), which is the main active ingredient that causes a high. Marijuana candy often imitates hard or gummy candy or chocolate. THC levels in marijuana candy can be as high as 90, according to officials.

“Parents should be vigilant in checking the candy their kids receive on Halloween,” Jefferson said. “Already this year, nine children were put at risk and hospitalized after eating marijuana-infused candy in Florida, and the risk has even spread to our own area, with a child in Rio Grande receiving heroin at a Trunk or Treat event.”

It is often difficult to distinguish between marijuana candy and brand name candy based strictly on appearance, officials said. The packaging for the marijuana candy can look slightly different, and it may have a smell similar to that of the plant, officials said.

“We have been made aware by local police departments that these candies have been actively confiscated, so we want our parents and those who look after children to make sure to check their children’s trick-or-treat candy as soon as they come home,” Jefferson said.

Typical effects of marijuana include dizziness, shallow breathing, red eyes and dilated pupils, dry mouth, increased appetite and slow reaction time. Other effects can be distorted sense of time, random thinking, paranoia, anxiety, depression and short-term forgetfulness.

Anyone who believes their child has received marijuana candy is asked to call their local police department immediately.