BC child taken to hospital after eating THC nerds rope on Halloween

It's a parent's worst nightmare.

In two different provinces, reports of highly concentrated THC candy-looking products have been discovered in multiple children’s candy bags.

According to the Richmond RCMP, one child inadvertently ate a “Medicated Nerds Rope” edible on Halloween and was brought to the hospital.

The child was trick or treating with other friends inside a complex in the 10000 block of Auburn Dr., but according to parents, no other children from the group have located THC candies within their treats.

“While we hope this was not an intentional incident, we felt it was important to issue this public warning in the hopes of preventing any other child from inadvertently consuming a THC candy-based product,” says Corporal Adriana O’Malley, Richmond RCMP.

“As parents, we are urged to check our children’s candy to ensure it's sealed and hasn’t been tampered with but we may not be looking for candies containing THC.”

She added: “We are urging all parents to take that extra few minutes to ensure you read the labels carefully as well as tell your children what to look for on the label so that no other child is affected.”

While this seems to be an isolated incident in BC, the Winnipeg Police Service is dealing with at least half a dozen reports of very similar candy being discovered in kids' bags.

Investigators have learned that the THC edibles were packaged along with regular full-size chocolate bars inside individual zipped sandwich bags. Anyone with information or to make a report is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219.https://t.co/0MdUJN1RG0 https://t.co/qcEjcnf6K8 pic.twitter.com/0bwfyzOWDn

— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) November 1, 2022

A number of marijuana edibles packaged to look like the popular candy, “Nerds”, contained 600 mg of THC and were found packaged alongside regular full-size chocolate bars in individual zip-locked bags.

Reports of the goodies came from a South Tuxedo neighbourhood and Winnipeg police have since released a public advisory.

These ‘copycat’ edible cannabis products are packaged to look like popular brands of candy or snacks that are typically sold at grocery stores, gas stations and corner stores.

Parents and children may not be able to recognize these products as anything other than their favourite foods.

Although cannabis products aren't known to be fatal, children are at a higher risk to feel numerous side effects.

Police are encouraging parents and caregivers to be vigilant and double-check their children’s candy before digging into all the scores from Halloween.

If you locate a THC candy in your child's trick-or-treat bag, you should contact your local police service immediately.