Parents Warned About Pot-Laced Treats

Monterey Park - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department warned parents to be on the lookout for marijuana-laced candy, soda, freezer pops and other edibles that could be handed out on Halloween.

The warning comes two days before Halloween, and four days before an election in which a proposition to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults is on the ballot. Sheriff Lee Baca has come out against the measure, Proposition 19.

Sheriff's Capt. Ralph Ornelas of the Narcotics Bureau said the department was unaware of any incidents of marijuana-laced items being handed out to children in past years, but wanted to warn of the possibility.

"We felt obligated to share this information with the parents and the community," Ornelas said.

Ornelas said detectives recently seized various edibles with pot in them that were being sold at marijuana dispensaries and other locations.

The products are "packaged to attract children and teens," Ornelas said.

Ornelas said that some items were labeled with the warning "for medicinal use only; keep out of reach of children," but authorities were concerned that children might not read the warnings -- or might not be able to read at all. The edibles appear similar to other packaged foods, he said.

"You really can't tell the difference," Ornelas said.

Health concerns include the possible presence of toxins from pesticides and fertilizers, Ornelas said.

"The items were determined to be unlicensed, untested, and improperly labeled to warn consumers of the contents or dosage," Ornelas said.

"Parents and teachers are encouraged to check Halloween candy and their children's snack items for indications that they may be packaged in this manner -- which contains drugs -- or in another, unfamiliar or tampered manner," he added.

Marijuana advocates deny the products are meant to attract children, and say they are intended to be used by adults who don't want to ingest the drug by smoking it.

Since marijuana is currently illegal, there are no licenses, tests or labeling requirements for pot.