Whatever you might think about the idea of legalizing marijuana use for adults — California voters will decide next Tuesday whether or not to do just that — you probably don’t approve of giving pot to children, especially pre-teens. If you’re a parent who doesn’t want their kids trying weed until they reach adulthood (or something close to it, anyway), you might want to be extra careful about checking their treat bags when they get home from trick-or-treating tonight.
The Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles County is warning parents to be on the look-out for marijuana-laced treats that might make their way into Halloween candy bowls. The department has seized thousands of products containing concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance found in marijuana. The items are, according to the sheriff’s department, “packaged to resemble licensed commercial candy and snacks, are being produced locally in clandestine labs and residential kitchens. The items are packaged to be attractive to children and teens.”
A bunch of stoned ghosts and ghouls aren’t, however, the only problem with the marijuana treats. The department is also concerned that “the methods used to extract the drug may also extract any pesticide or fertilizer residue as well, carrying those potentially toxic chemicals into the items.” To top it off, “detectives found that the places in which these items were manufactured were highly unsanitary, bringing the potential of other health hazards to users as well.”
So, basically, don’t let your kids eat anything you don’t recognize or which came from someone you don’t know. Our kids will be getting homemade cookies and cupcakes — from their nana. I’m pretty sure she’s not going to slip any weed in her treats, accidentally or otherwise.
Tags: candy, drugs, halloween, marijuana, pot, thc, trick-or-treat, weed