19 Sickened by Marijuana Candy at Kids’ Birthday Party in San Francisco

Crying child birthday (Shoshanah / Flickr / CC)
Shoshanah / Flickr / CC)

Nineteen people were treated for symptoms, including nausea and dizziness, after unwittingly consuming marijuana-infused candy at a children’s birthday party in San Francisco on Saturday.

The victims had all attended a quinceañera party in the city’s Mission Hill district catered by an Oakland-based company, according to KQED News. Of the 19 sickened at the party, 13 were reportedly minors, ranging in age from 6 to 18.

San Francisco Department of Public Health officials revealed that blood tests taken from 12 of the patients revealed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound in marijuana that causes psychoactive effects.

The 19 victims were reportedly treated at area hospitals for symptoms including rapid heart rate, light-headedness and high blood pressure. All 19 had reportedly been released from the hospital as of Monday morning.

“Anyone who attended the quinceañera and may have taken home some of the gummy rings is urged to discard them immediately,” San Francisco health official Dr. Tomas Aragon said in a statement to CNN, calling the situation “greatly concerning.”

City health investigators were reportedly still working to determine how the candy was distributed at the party.

The incident is the second this week in which a large group of people fell ill after consuming marijuana-laced food products.

Twenty-four people were reportedly hospitalized Saturday in Ohio after consuming highly potent marijuana-infused candies at a music festival.

Photo: file

Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum

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