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Friday, March 29, 2024

Marion sheriff issues warning about protecting children from drug-laced candy

Parents and grandparents are being warned about the dangers of drug-laced candy.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies have issued a warning about candy packages that contain marijuana edibles. They say the packages can look like legitimate candy and easily can fool adults if they aren’t aware of the potential dangers.

These marijuana-laced candies in legitimate looking packages were recovered by Marion County sheriff’s deputies during a recent traffic stop.

During a recent traffic stop on a vehicle that was traveling at 50 mph in a 35-mph speed zone, sheriff’s deputies could smell marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed trafficking amounts of marijuana edibles, and the packaging on the drugs looked like normal candy wrappers.

“If left within reach of small children, it’s possible they may not know what they are and will consume them,” a sheriff’s office Facebook post says.

Sheriff’s deputies warn that children who consume these drug-laced edibles can suffer conditions ranging from lethargy to slurred speech to respiratory distress to seizures.

“You have no way of knowing what else these edibles may have been laced with,” the Facebook post reads.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to keep an eye on the candy their young loved ones eat and if there is a possibility they may have ingested something they shouldn’t have, it’s essential to call 911 immediately.