5 children taken to Victoria-area hospital after mistaking cannabis gummies for popular kids candy

A group of children ata Victoria-area family barbecuehad to betaken to hospital last Friday after discoveringand eatinga package of what they believed were simple candiesbut were, in fact, gummies laced with THC, the psychoactivechemical in the marijuana plant.

In a statement Wednesday, police said officers were called to the Victoria General Hospital on July 16, after five children under the age of 10 were brought in for treatment, then released.

Parents told police theybegan questioning the kids when they noticed the group wasacting oddly, it said.

The kids admitted to finding the Stoner Patch candiesinside a room they were playing inand consuming them.

Kids candy strikingly similar

"The parents investigated and upon discovering the candy were THC gummies, immediately called 911," wroteBowen Osoko, who isresponsible for community engagement for the department.

Osoko said investigating officers founda package of Stoner Patchgummiesat the home.

Police say no foul play is suspectedand no charges will be laid.

Though the use of cannabis products is permitted under provincial and federal law in Canada, police are urging those who use cannabis products to safely store them out of the reach of children.

In January, a CBC investigation found hundreds of websites selling illicit edibles with packages designed to look like all types of candy and chocolate bars everything from Sour Patch Kids, Pop Tarts, Snickers chocolate bars and more.

The Stoner Patch packaginglooks so much like the Sour Patch Kidsbrand that the company behind that candy,Mondelz Canada Inc., successfully sued inJanuary 2020for trademark infringement.