Daneilla McLaughlin

October 3, 2023

Ganja-laced candies sold to school children.

Over 60 students from the Ocho Rios Primary School were rushed to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital on Monday after students became ill from eating sweets laced with marijuana.

According to a report from the school principal, Suzette Barnes Wilson, the sweets were purchased from an unknown male vendor at the gate. She stated that the vendor was told to leave but he instead went to the back gate and sold the candies there.

After eating the candy, the students started vomiting and fainting. The children were taken to the school's nurse then rushed to hospital to receive treatment. Most of the students were treated, given medication, then were sent home. They were told to return if symptoms persist while, a few remained hospitalized. One child complained of weakness and heaviness in the head and another child said his tongue tasted bitter.

The candy, Sour Belts, is made by Dimo Hemps and packaged in California, USA. According to the package, the product contains tetrahydrocannabinol which is the major component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. The product is not FDA approved and the packaging states that it “is not intended for use by anyone under 21 years of age.” The product label also has a cancer and reproductive harm warning printed on it. Citizens question how the candy passed Jamaican borders.

While the St. Ann police are asking citizens to help them to locate the accused vendor, principal of the Ocho Rios Primary School has committed to having the school bus take the children into the school compound rather than leaving them at the school gate. She believes, “they will be safer.”