Crime & Safety

LASD Warns of Pot-Laced Halloween Candy

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies put out a public safety advisory for children and parents to watch out for possible tricks in treats.

Be on the lookout Halloween night in case marijuana-laced medicinal cookies or candies are mixed in with trick-or-treat goodies, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The department in recent months has seized many products that look like candy, cookies, cereal snacks, or bottled soda, but contain the drug.

Officials now have suggested "to closely inspect children’s candy, soda, and snack items to ensure children do not accidentally ingest a concentrated drug."

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Medical marijuana advocates reportedly have argued that there has never been a history of such products being intentionally given to children on Halloween.

"Any suggestion that edible marijuana products could end up in children’s hands on Halloween is unreasonable," some groups have said, according to ABC News.

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But the sheriff's department has stood by its warning:

"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."

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