Last updated : December 23, 2024
Trick-or-treating is a fun way for young children to celebrate Halloween, but it also raises concerns for many parents. While candy tampering isn’t common, human nature dictates that there are those who would go to lengths to harm others—and no one wants to have their child be a statistic, no matter how likely or unlikely. The common caution parents have received for decades has been to inspect all candy children receive on Halloween, but there’s a new concern with the increasing legalization of marijuana: marijuana edibles making their way into childrens’ trick-or-treat bags.
In a Denver Police “Ask the Experts” segment, Sgt. Brett Hinkle and Detective Aaron Kafer of the DPD Marijuana Unit recommend not taking any chances and disposing of unpackaged candy and having a discussion with trick-or-treaters before heading out, in case a child reaches into the candy bag before it can be inspected. The warnings come whether recreational use is legal or not.
Many manufacturers of marijuana edibles like sour candies, granola bars, and suckers produce marijuana products that are identical to name-brand candy counterparts by design, not chance. According to a warning video issued by the Denver Police Department, marijuana edible manufacturers typically buy candy in bulk and infuse it with hash oil. Once the oil dries, there is no way to tell the difference between safe candy and candy that’s been infused with THC.
Regardless of personal feelings on the legalization of marijuana, ingestion by a child does pose real health risks, including extreme sedation and agitation. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take as a parent to keep marijuana edibles from reaching your children.
Inspect branding and packaging
While parents are always cautioned to make sure Halloween candy is factory sealed before giving it to children, this advice isn’t always helpful when it comes to marijuana edibles. Many edibles are pre-packaged fun-sized candies that seem credible until you look closely at the branding. What appears to be a “Milky Way” bar may actually be a “Munchy Way” edible, for example. All marijuana edibles that are legally sold in states like Colorado must be labeled properly, but the labels often mimic classic candies.
Avoid homemade Halloween treats
There’s no way to know what’s in homemade treats, or if they’re even homemade. What appears to be homemade oatmeal cookies or brownies may in fact be marijuana edibles that were either made at home or purchased legally from a marijuana dispensary. Always throw away homemade treats if you aren’t absolutely sure of the source. It may seem a shame to throw away those cleverly wrapped pumpkin lollipops, but candy distributing houses should honestly know better than to hand out homemade goodies.
Throw away candy that isn’t sealed
The decades-old recommendation of throwing away candy that is opened or is in an unsealed package is still good advice when it comes to avoiding marijuana edibles this Halloween. Candy without packaging or treats in packages that aren’t sealed may have been tampered with in some way, including exposing the candy to hash oil. Even candy that is wrapped but not sealed should be tossed. That means no caramels, no peppermint discs, lollipops, or anything that can be unwrapped and rewrapped. It doesn’t have to be made with marijuana to be tampered with if the person can soak it in THC oils and then rewrap it.
Check for an aroma
Your nose can’t always identify the presence of marijuana when it comes to edibles. That’s because the aroma in many products is overpowered by other ingredients, which makes a marijuana chocolate bar or brownie smell like it’s supposed to. Still, it doesn’t hurt to check for the distinctive pungent aroma as you sort through your child’s Halloween bag as a final step. You can report suspicious candy with a noticeable marijuana aroma to the police department. It may not smell exactly like you expect marijuana to smell, but if the candy doesn’t smell exactly like you’d expect the candy to smell, that’s reason enough to throw it out.
Fears over poisoned Halloween candy have troubled parents since the 1960s. While candy contamination is very rare, the truth is there are additional concerns with marijuana edibles and THC-laced candy in particular as it can be almost impossible to tell the difference between a normal and infused treat by sight alone. Following these tips will help you keep your children safe during trick-or-treating and avoid the very real dangers of marijuana consumption by a child.
