By Matt Gray | For NJ.com

Every house on the block during Halloween wants to be known as the best stop — the ones who leave out the whole bowl of sweets, or hand out large instead of fun-size bars.

While it’s highly unlikely anyone would intentionally become the house known for handing out THC-laced sweets, it could happen accidentally, cops say.

Marijuana edibles aren’t legal in N.J., but there is a ‘significant’ presence of them in and around the state, law enforcement are warning in a flier being shared to caution parents before Halloween.

“The presence of these edible forms of marijuana poses a great risk to users, especially to children, who may accidentally receive marijuana candy during Halloween. “

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Marijuana candy, which is illegal in New Jersey, often resembles hard or gummy candies, or chocolate. THC levels in these products can be as high as 90 percent, compared to 10 or 20 percent in marijuana plants, according to the state police.

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10-year-old ends up in ER

In issuing the warning, officials pointed to a May incident in New York in which a 10-year-old ended up in the emergency room after eating a pot-infused sour gummy candy. The child’s symptoms included nervousness and nausea.

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A young boy ate a package of "pink lemonade belts" infused with cannabis and suffered the effects from THC in his body. Posted by ABC 7 Chicago on Tuesday, May 16, 2017

As it turned out, the child was left alone in the family’s car and found the package of THC candy, in this case a commercially available product that can be purchased online. His father was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The father told police he lent the car to a friend and that the friend had left the product behind.

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Cannabis edibles are big business

In states were recreational marijuana use has been legalized, including California, Colorado, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts and Washington, edible cannabis products are big business and include THC-infused candies, foods and beverages. The products, which appeal to those who want the affects of marijuana but don’t like to smoke, are popular with medical marijuana consumers and recreational users.

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In California, customers spent $180 million on marijuana edibles in 2016, which amounts to about 10 percent of marijuana sales in that state.

Since it's still a crime in New Jersey, authorities announced charges this week against a Mercer County man who allegedly ran an online cannabis store in Hightstown. Investigators found 80 pounds of bulk marijuana and more than $900,000 worth of products, including pot-infused energy drinks, gummies, pretzels and dog biscuits.

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SmartColorado.org

Check that candy

When kids return from trick-or-treating, parents are advised to check for unusual candy packaging, including homemade packages or plastic bags. As in the New York case, commercially available THC-infused gum or chocolate features traditional, colorful packaging. The packaging for some candies produced by less reputable parties is made to resemble traditional brands, and have names such as Munchy Way, Buddahfinger and 3 Rastateers, according to past reports by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. The candy may also have an odor similar to that of the marijuana plant, police say.

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In an effort to address concerns about kids accidentally getting their hands on these goodies, Colorado has banned edible pot products shaped like animals, people, fruit snacks and gummy bears. The state also has strict guidelines on product labeling.

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Physical signs of consuming these products may include dizziness, shallow breathing, red eyes, dilated pupils, dry mouth, increased appetite, reduced reaction time, paranoia and distorted sense of time. Parents who believe their child has received marijuana candy are advised to call police and wear vinyl or non-latex gloves if handling the substance. If you think your child has been exposed to one of these products, call the New Jersey Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for information on how to treat your child.

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What weed man you know can afford to give away edibles to kids on Halloween? 😕 I can’t believe it. — shits & giggles (@mmmmBISCUITo_O) October 25, 2017

Some scoff at the notion that anyone would hand out pot-laced candy on Halloween.

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I'll say it again.....stoners don't give out expensive edibles for Halloween. Are you high? https://t.co/v6PJZRLnjB — Vicki (@stirthemoose) October 23, 2017

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History of Halloween candy scares

Concerns about trick-or-treating hazards are nothing new. For decades, parents have been told to beware of candy tampering, with report of pins and razor blades hidden inside sweets. Some hospitals even offered to X-ray Halloween candy if parents were worried. Some of these tampering reports turned out to be bogus.

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This was in my children's Halloween candy. We went trick or treating in Woodbury Heights in the summit by St. Margarets.... Posted by Michelle Garwood on Sunday, November 1, 2015

In 2015, a Gloucester City woman said she found needles or pins in candy bars her children received while trick-or-treating in Woodbury Heights. She posted images on her Facebook page.

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Hello Facebook, I'm tired of this myth that someone is going to poison or slip a razor blade in your child's candy if... Posted by Rashad Humphrey on Saturday, October 31, 2015

The most notorious, proven, case of candy tampering involved a Houston, Texas, father who snuck a cyanide laced Pixy Stix into his 8-year-old son’s Halloween candy bag in 1974. The child consumed the product and died. Investigators learned that Ronald O’Bryan killed his son to collect on an insurance policy. He was executed 10 years later.

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Other drug/candy dangers

Marijuana isn’t the only drug that’s found its way into candy form. Police have seized large quantities of meth-laced lollipops shaped like Star Wars characters and other kid-friendly icons.

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Police in New York warned of heroin disguised as candy, according to a May report. These drugs looked like SweetTarts but contained a mix of heroin, fentanyl and Xanax, authorities reported.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

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