Candies containing active ingredient in pot found by police
RCMP in Alberta have made an unusual drug seizure that is causing them concern -- candies containing THC oil, the active ingredient in marijuana.
The candies were found after police stopped a vehicle last month on Highway 16 near Wabamun.
The candies are new to the Edmonton area and police worry about the risk they may pose to children.
“Consumers have no way of knowing the percentage of THC or the potency of these candies," RCMP drug expert Sgt. Lorne Adamitz said in a news release.
“Candies are created to attract a broader customer base, which includes youth, but attractive, brightly-coloured candy brings in a whole new set of risk factors for the exposure of children and toddlers to marihuana.”
Children who have eaten substances laced with drugs have had to be taken to the emergency room, police say.
RCMP are blaming products like THC candies on the legalization of marijuana in some U.S. states.
The 24-year-old Edmonton man stopped by police is facing charges for possession with intent to traffic.
Police say they also seized five bags each containing 238 grams of marijuana from the vehicle. However, the marijuana was legal as the person had a permit from Health Canada.
The man told police he bought the candies in Vancouver.
Corrections
- Based on information provided Monday by the RCMP, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that police seized 5,238 grams of marijuana packaged in baggies during the traffic stop. On Tuesday, RCMP said that in fact, five bags each containing 238 grams of marijuana were found in the vehicle. The individual had a permit from Health Canada for medical marijuana so no charges were laid in relation to that discovery.Feb 18, 2014 4:58 PM MT