A group of elementary students in Cleveland, Ohio were taken to a local hospital after allegedly consuming pieces of gummy cannabis candy during lunchtime on Monday.
Police and EMS were called to Anton Grdina School on East 71st Street after receiving reports of children falling ill early Monday afternoon.
“As a precaution today, we called EMS to examine several students to determine whether gummy bears shared with them by other students during lunch may have been marijuana-laced,” wrote principal Latosha Glass in a statement following the incident. “This precaution was taken because the packaging of the candy was not recognizable to us and appeared suspicious. The students involved were examined by medical staff and their parents were called.”
The candy was given to fourteen students between the ages of five and nine, though it is not clear how many students consumed it.
Emergency workers took nine students who complained of feeling ill to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital on Euclid Avenue where they were reported to be in stable condition. The parents of the other five students declined transport by EMS.
“Although most of our students were not involved in the incident, and although we have not yet received a report on the candy itself, I am taking time to remind ALL parents and caregivers the importance of keeping medicines and other items that may be harmful to children locked up,” stated Glass. “Thank you for the opportunity to use the incident today as a teachable moment for our school community of our shared responsibility to keep our students safe.”
Police are investigating the incident further to determine the source of the gummy candy, which has yet to be tested to confirm the presence of THC officially.
