By Barbara Nicholson Brown

It’s not Halloween candy

There is an increase in the number of young children eating marijuana-laced candy, according to figures from poison control centers across the country and in Arizona. The ‘edibles’ come in all shapes and colors — appearing to be candies, brownies, gummies and even cereal. But the edibles, when in young hands, are causing some serious problems.

“These are addictive, poisonous substances,” said Stephanie Siete, Public Information Officer for Community Bridges. Stephanie educates children and parents about the dangers of drugs and vapes and other drugs flooding our neighborhoods. “Marijuana’s evolution from the ‘joint’ in the 1960’s to the pot-infused gummy bears today has been especially dangerous to young children. One kid might just think it’s candy, Siete said. “A little toddler might pick it up, or the family pet might grab it and chew on it.”

While recreational marijuana use became legal in Arizona at the end of 2020, the number of child exposures has increased ever since.  And unlike other prescription drugs, edibles do not usually come in child-resistant packaging.

Siete said more needs to be done to control the product getting into the wrong, little hands. “I think the big word is poison,” she said. “We 100 percent need more regulations.” Call (800) 222-1222 for the local poison control center.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the US.  In August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 18 states.  Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people. Every color, shape, and size of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.

Stay vigilant this Halloween, inspect all the candy your children bring home and talk to them honestly about the dangers of these “candy” like looking substances.