Tuesday, May 9th 2023, 10:55 pm
The DA in Seminole County sent out a warning about products containing high levels of THC, which look like children's snacks.
He said they were recently found inside a child's backpack at an elementary school.
DA Erik Johnson said he hopes other DAs will start cracking down on these products.
Johnson said the THC warnings on these packages are often very small so, to kids, it looks like a harmless treat.
The tasty looking treats are full of THC, and DA Erik Johnson said they were found with a third grader in a Seminole elementary school recently and were bought in Oklahoma dispensaries.
"I just want school officials, school resource officers, teachers and parents to be aware that it's out there and it's working it's way in the hands of our children and it's unacceptable," said Erik Johnson, DA District 22.
The "Stoney Charms" has 1000 milligrams of THC and the other two have 200 milligrams each.
Brian Surber, with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, said the state's Poison Control Center saw an increase in THC exposure for children from 14 in 2018 to 269 cases in 2022.
"One 500 milligram gummy is like simultaneously taking 100 days' worth of Marinol dronabinol. That is the reason we're seeing this massive spike in Overdoses with children," said Brian Surber, Deputy Director OBN. "Some of these overdoses have resulted with multiple children being on ventilators, having seizures."
They both said Oklahoma has no limit on the potency of THC and in states with recreational marijuana laws, they allow 10 milligrams per edible and a max of 100 milligrams per package.
"Marijuana laws that we have in place currently are some of the most relaxed marijuana laws in the country," said Johnson.
AG's in 23 states including Oklahoma have asked Congress to take action against these copycat products, arguing they risk the safety, health and welfare of our kids.
Johnson said the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's current rules prohibit labels, packages and containers that appeal to minors.
"They're doing it anyways. It needs to stop," said Johnson. "This at some point is going to require a legislative fix."
Johnson said Virginia recently passed laws to ban THC products in certain shapes that appeal to children, and he believes Oklahoma should do the same.
The school system said it needs parents to help keep these types of products out of the schools.
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