Trick-or-Nerdy Bears

Did you check your child’s Halloween candy this year? Maybe you found your favorite piece of hard candy or chocolate, or maybe if you lived in New Jersey you found yourself a different type of “treat”. Many Attorney Generals in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, New York and Ohio reminded parents to double check their children’s Halloween  buckets this year for cannabis-infused candy. They warned parents that these accidental look-a-like products could contain high amounts THC and result in accidental overdoses (Leafreport).

During last weekends Halloween festivities, Trick-or-treating became a whole lot spookier in Stafford, New Jersey. On Wednesday, there were reports that trick-or-treaters received a package of  Delta-8 infused gummies called “Nerdy Bears” in their Halloween candy stashes. Stafford Police said the brightly-colored packages of edibles contained 20 servings with 18.5 mg of Delta-8 THC in each. The “Nerdy Bears” package closely resembles the well-known candy, Nerds. Unlike the sugary hard candy, these look-a-like edibles give a totally different type of “sugar rush”. Stafford Police shared a photo of the packaging that reads “Nerdy Bears are a sweet shareable treat, with a generous amount of Delta-8 that will knock you off your feet”. The package also warns “Do not use if under 21 years of age” (Leafreport).

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that the most common overdose incidents among children involve edible cannabis. Unfortunately, these overdoses are continuing to rise. An estimated 70 to 80 percent of all cannabis-related calls to the federal Poison Control Center during the past three years have been for children. Authorities advise users to keep Delta-8 products away from children and animals (Leafreport).

As we recently learned, Delta-8 THC became very popular in 2020 due to the similarities it has to Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 provides a slightly mild versions of the typical cannabis “high”. This can include the feelings euphoria, relaxation, tiredness, energy, or pain relief. Most of all Delta-8 products are extracted synthetically from CBD, which comes from hemp.