There's one more reason for parents to inspect their kids' Halloween treats, authorities say: Candy made with marijuana.

Hunderdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III in a statement warned parents to be on the lookout for such candy, which can cause medical emergencies and overdoses if ingested by children or adults.

"The candy poses a serious risk to children because it looks like hard or gummy candy or chocolate. The THC level in these products may be as high as 90 percent compared to 10 to 20 percent found in marijuana cigarettes," wrote Kearns in a statement.

The two most common signs of marijuana candy are packaging that mimics or spoofs popular brands and an odor of marijuana when the package is opened. Symptoms of its use one eaten include shallow low breathing, red eyes, dilated pupils, increased appetite, paranoia and anxiety, depression, short term memory loss and a distorted sense of time, authorities said.

While there have been no reported cases of tampering with candy, the use of marijuana candy has been on the rise in New Jersey and surrounding states. Kearns urges all parents to inspect candy collected during trick-or-treating before it is eaten .

Marijuana candy contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive
component in marijuana plants that causes the high felt by users. Companies are
selling candy containing THC as medical marijuana on the Internet.

 

“Marijuana candy can be packaged to resemble legitimate candy bars and hard candy. Marijuana wax (found in New Jersey) has been found packaged to resemble caramel candy. The wax is also used in gummy candy, lollipops and brownies," wrote Kearns. "Contact your local police department when you observe possible illegal drug-related activity or have any concern with the candy your children bring home.”

Also: Kearns suggests taking a digital picture of your kids in their costumes before they head off to Halloween activities. Their outfits should have glow sticks and reflective tape, Kearns said.

New Jersey State Police remind drivers to drive slowly on Halloween night and to keep an eye out for both adults and children and to only trick-or-treat during your community's posted hours.

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