public safety

How to ensure it’s only sugar in Halloween candy

October 25, 2024

Every Halloween, those who follow cannabis media wait for that one article headline. You know the one. Year after year, someone sounds an alarm about cannabis-laced candy being handed out to trick-or-treaters. This THC-infused boogeyman has joined the ranks of great Halloween lore, but some are tired of it.

This year, New York’s Madison County Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse shifted the responsibility. Instead of telling parents to fear people behind each door who could be spending hundreds of dollars to give kids weed candies, they are empowering families to recognize adulterated treats. While few may intentionally give out weed candy, accidents happen. It is wise to look out for any weird treats in kiddos’ bags this Halloween.

Sponsor BRiDGES of Madison County, a local group focused on addiction resources and education, invited anyone interested to join an educational meeting. The half-hour Zoom call featured poison-protection expert Amy Hoffman-James explaining how to spot unwanted Halloween treats. Instead of sounding an alarm without solutions, the group got ahead of the fear with the gift of knowledge.

The meeting provided a crash course on what cannabis edibles are and how they are different from traditional candy. Hoffman-James also highlighted packaging information that might indicate it has weed. This includes written warnings, a universal cannabis symbol, or a related pun rather than the traditional brand name. The final segment highlighted best practices for checking Halloween candy.

Empowering more guardians to understand cannabis edibles may calm unnecessary hysteria in an already stressful time. This approach to a years-long narrative also provides an optimistic look at the future. Rather than lean on the sensationalism of a warcry without built-in solutions, BRiDGES chose to empower parents with education.

Sure, people rarely give away edibles that cost upwards of $20 per chocolate bar. But nervous parents are not likely to believe a stoner. This fear is best quelched by knowledge. This is certainly a step in the right direction.

Cara Wietstock Cara Wietstock is senior content producer of GreenState.com and has been working in the cannabis space since 2011. She has covered the cannabis business beat for Ganjapreneur and The Spokesman Review. You can find her living in Bellingham, Washington with her husband, son, and a small zoo of pets.