It started with a familiar craving for something sweet. During a family visit, a grandmother spotted a colorful, crinkly bag that looked like a popular snack brand. Thinking it was a treat left out for anyone to enjoy, she helped herself.
Less than an hour later, a wave of dizziness washed over her, her heart began to beat faster and some confusion set in. Her family, witnessing the change, immediately feared she was perhaps suffering from a stroke or a heart attack and rushed her to the local emergency department.
At the hospital, a team of doctors worked quickly, trying to solve the puzzle. They ran a battery of tests— heart monitors, blood work — all while the woman remained disoriented.
The answer finally arrived with the toxicology report. “It’s not a stroke or other life threatening medical emergency,” Daria Falkowitz, M.D., director of the Division of Toxicology at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center said. “Her symptoms are from an overdose of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.”
Candy Looks Normal But Contains Cannabis
The family was baffled until a relative made the connection: the bag of “candy” on the counter was actually a potent cannabis edible. The product’s packaging was designed to be a near-perfect imitation of a brand name candy, making a dangerous mix-up that is happening all too often.
Products with THC are made to look like everything Snickers, Sour Patch Kids, Cheetos, Oreos, Hershey and more are easily purchased through dispensaries by someone who knows they are purchasing drugs, but when left lying around the deceptive logos make it hard for unsuspecting children or even adults to know what they are eating.
“Deceptive packaging of candies that contain cannabinoids poses serious public health risks, as these products are often designed to mimic familiar brands, making them attractive to children and misleading for consumers who may unknowingly ingest substances with psychoactive effects,” says Harry Kopolovich, M.D., M.B.A, chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Double Checking Halloween Wrappers
With candy and snack foods being given out as children go door to door this Halloween, it’s important for parents to double check those candy wrappers carefully and for those who purchase these THC products to keep that out of the reach of children and adults who do not realize they are marijuana.
Edible manufacturers are using slightly tweaked candy and snack food brand names and logos despite many copyright infringement lawsuits. When left around the house, it makes it easy for an unsuspecting child or even adult to think they are grabbing a small snack, but they are actually ingesting dangerousamounts of THC.
Accidental Overdosing On The Rise
Experts say accidental overdoses of people of all ages are indeed on the rise, triggering severe symptoms that mimic a major medical emergency, leading to stressful situations and hospital visits.
“We found that adult cannabis ED‐related visits significantly increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic and remained higher than pre‐pandemic levels,” says Sondra Maureen Nemetski, MD, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Hackensack Meridian Health School of Medicine, who with a team of her colleagues reviewed nearly three years of health records of adult and pediatric emergency department cases.
“The vast majority of visits for children aged 0–12 years were related to accidental cannabis exposures— often a household member’s edibles — whereas most visits for older children stemmed from intentional cannabis use,” explains Dr. Nemetski, whose results were published in a study to determine trends and risk factors for cannabis‐related harm in both adult and pediatric cannabis‐related visits at Hackensack University Medical Center since the legalization of majijuana in New Jersey in 2021, which the team believes has also likely has contributed to increased use and exposure potentially contributing to the rise in hospital visits.
Overdose cases can be complex, and not all hospitals are equally equipped to handle them. Fortunately, some medical centers have specialized toxicology departments with the expertise to manage complex poisonings and overdoses. These expert teams have the advanced tools and knowledge to look beyond the initial symptoms, accurately diagnose the cause, and provide the specific care needed to manage the emergency safely.
This grandmother’s frightening ordeal serves as a critical warning. With Halloween around the corner, Hackensack Meridian Health experts are sounding the alarm. “To prevent accidental ingestion and safeguard vulnerable populations, it is crucial to implement clear labeling, truthful marketing, and distinct packaging,” says Dr. Kopolovich.
Video of the candy and snack food themed cannabis edibles is available here. It can be found at many convenience stores on the black market, smoke shops and dispensaries legally and even purchased online. Once in the home it is easy for someone to eat it thinking it is simply a snack and not marijuana.