Cannabis Jellies and Hospitalisations of Kids and Teens
Cannabis jellies are being distributed easily by both kids and teens amongst the schoolyard and beyond. This is due to their innocent-looking nature; however, they are responsible for a wave of hospitalisations yearly and can be harmful to young kids. Numerous children, over the last two to three years have been hospitalised after eating jellies that are believed to contain THC.
A teen has also reportedly admitted to the hospital with serious adverse health effects while in London two years ago, while last year 13 teenage girls ended up in hospital after taking them suffering elevated heart rates, hallucinations and nausea.
ⓘ What is THC?
Colourful and appealing for small kids
Gardai in Meath in 2021 reported they had seized a sizeable quantity of the illegal sweets, some laced with dangerous levels of the psychoactive chemical THC and packaged in packs that looked similar to other store-bought sweets. Names they reported them to be called were ‘Caribo’, ‘Skittles’, ‘Stoney’ and ‘Trrlli’ and they were in colourful, appealing packets modelled on real brands. Due to the type of packaging young kids can be easily attracted to them and unknowingly consume them. They are likely to be sold and distributed under several yet unknown names to keep anonymity.
Parents are urged to talk to their children and teens about the danger of drugs and to always check before they purchase or eat jellies given to them by friends or strangers. Check out how you can talk to your teens about cannabis here.
A member of the Meath Gardai unit was quoted highlight the packs of sweets are very affordable for young teens at just €20 a packet.
"One mother came to me after her daughter was offered a packet for €20. Thankfully she refused them and subsequently told her parents.
"We can't be naive that drugs don't exist in all our communities and we need to be mindful of that and look out for each other."
How are they bought?
These sweets are considered illegal here so most are bought online and shipped to Ireland mainly from the US and Canada.
As they appear to be sweets and do not have a strong smell, they can often be hard to detect on customs cameras. Gardai have received reports of children being approached and offered sweets. Cannabis jellies are now so prevalent in some secondary schools that principals have written to parents to warn them about the emergence of the drugs, sold in the form of sweets.
A senior Garda confirmed a task force has been established to detect and stop the import and sale of cannabis edibles.
News Sources: RTE News, The Irish Sun and Independent
Written by Ciara Morgan
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