Fact vs. Myth

BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTO ISTOCK

Fact vs. myth The myth of dosed Halloween Candy.

Halloween is the one night a year that children and sometimes adults dress up in costumes and travel from house to house to collect free candy. While this tradition did not become incredibly popular until the 1930’s, in more recent years, there have been concerns linked to the acceptance of sweets from strangers. More specifically, the solicitude lies on the myth of dosed candy.

Sure, there is a resemblance between marijuana edibles and popular candy, but is anyone really going to give away their uber expensive artisan gummies to the neighborhood trick or treater? According to Joel Best, an expert who has spent decades researching the topic, the answer is no. He explained that there have not been any findings or documented cases to support the fear that has been instilled on many (Newsweek).

In October 2021, attorneys general in Arkansas, Connecticut, New York and Ohio released statements to properly inform parents about the alleged threat of THC filled edibles being passed out to children. “The warnings noted the high concentration of THC in the products, saying children could accidentally overdose from eating large amounts of the compound,” they said.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong added, “Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these products will only make this worse.” He noted that the public should be aware of the similar resemblance between snacks and candies to edibles.

However, “Accidental cannabis consumption is more typical during the rest of the year. Incidents are typically due to a combination of parents not sufficiently securing their edibles from their kids’ curious hands and an ongoing issue with edible packaging too closely resembling preexisting candy brands,” said The Consumer. For this reason, adults are encouraged to be more cautious and keep cannabis products out of children’s reach.

Although candy dosage could be a problem, others believe that these products are not a real danger to trick or treaters for one important reason: the cost. “THC edibles often cost $25 or more for a bag that would cost around $1 if it were normal candy. In other words, dosing kids with marijuana candy would be a fairly expensive endeavor for any would-be criminals,” (Newsweek).

Beyond the myth of “dosed candy,” perhaps your anguish stems from stories that are entirely unrelated to cannabis. According to a CBC news article, there are bigger issues to worry about than a drug filled candy bar. “Razor blades, sewing needles, even poison – police forces across North America have reported cases of nefarious objects in treats for decades,” said CBC. Despite the claims, none of these reports have resulted in serious injury or death. However, if you are looking for peace of mind, they suggest that parents check for small holes or unwrapped packages, and to not accept or eat anything that isn’t “commercially wrapped,” (CBC).

Amid the Halloween season, it’s important to remember these tips, but most importantly not to be tricked based on rumors. If you’re a parent, perhaps enjoy trick or treating this year with your favorite marijuana infused edible from a local dispensary. If you’re a kid, stick to the original stuff. For now, it’s just as good.

References https://www.newsweek.com/worried-about-thclaced-halloween-candy-myth-debunker-says-concerns-are-unfounded-1644010 https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/halloween-candy-tampering-urban-legend-truth-1.5341734 https://marijuanapackaging.com/blogs/cannabis-culture/busting-the-myth-of-marijuana-lacedhalloween-treats