Over 60 Jamaican students rushed to hospital after being sold cannabis candy

Dozens of primary school children in Jamaica were rushed to the hospital after being sold cannabis-infused candy by a vendor. According to the Minister of Education Fayval Williams, over 60 children at the Ocho Rios Primary School on the north coast were rushed to the hospital on Oct. 2 after consuming the sweets which caused them to vomit and hallucinate. Several of the students were placed on IV drips, according to the minister.

This was reported to MoEY as a pic of the package with the sweets that children from St. Ann’s Bay Primary ate which caused them to vomit and hallucinate. Over 60 primary school students had to be taken to hospital. Parents please beware!! pic.twitter.com/Kf2HhROzIA

— Fayval Williams (@williams_fayval) October 2, 2023

Minister Williams posted a photo of the product called "Sour Belts," which contains 8 THC, a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant. In the United States, 8 THC products are not approved for safe use. The Food and Drug Administration said 8 THC products may cause hallucinations, vomiting, tremors, confusion, and loss of consciousness, among other side effects. FDA says these products should also be kept away from children. The sour belts candy contains 100MG per piece, according to the packaging — a dose that is only recommended for experienced consumers who have a high tolerance for THC. More to come on this story.