Full Notification

With Halloween only a few days away, parents, teachers, and physicians are warned to closely inspect children’s candy, soda, and snack items to ensure children do not accidentally ingest a concentrated drug. (SEE PHOTOS BY CLICKING ON THE HYPERLINK AT THE BOTTOM)

The Narcotics Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently identified a new and growing health hazard. In recent months, thousands of illicit edible products have been seized in the form of candies, cookies, cereal snacks, and bottled soda, all containing varying amounts of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive substance found in the marijuana plant.

These items, 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. Some items have no label to warn the consumer of their content, and many that are labeled do not contain a reasonable indication of drug content, recommended dosage, or instructions for use. Because their makers intend to remain anonymous, no contact information is listed.

Some of the processes used to extract and concentrate the THC for the manufacture of these items include the use of chemical solvents, such as liquid butane, to extract THC from the plant material. We are 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. We are currently pursuing additional testing of these items to better determine this possibility.

Sheriff’s Narcotics 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. It is the intent of the Sheriff’s Department to seek and prosecute similar crimes in the Los Angeles area.

The following is a statement provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

"Edible marijuana products pose a significant health threat," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "There are too many unknowns regarding the preparation and the amount of marijuana contained in these products. They can be easily mistaken for common foods due to improper labeling and packaging, leading to cases of intoxication from accidental ingestion of 'pot cookies' and 'pot brownies' that were thought to be ordinary, drug-free snacks. During the coming holiday, we urge parents to carefully screen their children's treats to ensure that they are properly packaged and labeled, and are from trusted sources."

SEE PHOTOS BY CLICKING ON THE BELOW HYPERLINK OR VISIT WWW.LASD.ORG



Captain Ralph Ornelas
Narcotics Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(213) 240-8144

Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff



CRIMESTOPPERS: If You See Something, Say Something! Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact their Local Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Station. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.

NIXLE: Receive emails and text messages direct from the LASD: Get detailed, up-to-date emails and text messages specific to your community from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department by registering for "Nixle" alerts at: https://local.nixle.com/register/. Register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff." Or, for alerts and advisory text messages only, text LAsheriff to 888777. (Standard text messaging rates may apply).


These TV news report hyperlinks are provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse advertised products or statements:

Parents Urged to Check For Pot-Laced Halloween Candy

KTLA-TV 5

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-pot-candy-warning,0,2926396.story

Parents warned about candy laced w/ marijuana

KABC-TV 7

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=7754220



PHOTOS ---- SEE LASD PHOTOS OF THE CANDY AND EDIBLES BY CLICKING ON THE BELOW HYPERLINK. All products depicted contain varying amounts of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive substance found in the marijuana plant.