COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- Deputies are sharing images of edible marijuana packets that are designed to resemble candy so parents can be aware of what to look out for.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, detectives have seized 332 units of edible marijuana. The items have a combined value of $33,600.
Although medical marijuana is legal in Florida, state statutes prohibit marijuana edibles from being packaged in a way that is attractive to children or made in a form that resembles candy.
Medical marijuana in Florida must be sealed in plain, opaque wrapping and marked with a universal marijuana symbol.
"A kid is definitely going to want that and they’re going to think oooh candy, this is great," said parent of one, Caroline Sovone.
Sovone happens to be a medical cannabis user, she says she uses it because to help with the pain of an injury she got while serving in the military.
But she says the last thing she wants her daughter to mistakenly eat, is candy with THC in it, THC being the active ingredient in marijuana.
"It can affect a young child’s mind because they’re growing and their mind is still forming," she said.
The people at "Drug-Free Collier," would agree. Scott Lemaster, the director of programming "Drug-Free Collier," believes some people want to expose kids to drugs and will do anything they can make it look "ok."
"It’s just very dangerous, especially if a little kid like an 8-year-old were to stumble across that, they’re trying to associate marijuana and other drugs with to try to make it seem less harmless," Lemaster said.
LeMaster explains the effects that it can have a young child is life-altering.
"Still when you’re dealing with the youth and teens mind-altering substances have severe impacts on brain development," Lemaster said.
This investigation is still active.
If parents encounter items that resemble the ones in these images, they should contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-252-9300 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477.
