Child hospitalized after ingesting THC gummy found at Pyramid Recreation Centre

By Galen Simmons

A 10-year-old boy was taken to hospital last week after ingesting a cannabis edible he found on the floor at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) in St. Marys.

According to a Stratford Police Service media release, police were contacted April 13 after the child became ill following attendance at an after-school program at the PRC.

Police say video surveillance confirmed the youth found what appeared to be a gummy candy on the floor inside the entrance to the recreation centre and consumed it. The child later became ill, parents were contacted and the youth was taken to hospital for treatment, where THC was confirmed to be present in the child’s blood. The child was later released into the care of family.

Stratford Police community resource officer Const. Aaron Mounfield said the incident highlights the importance of safely storing and handling cannabis edibles, particularly those that resemble common candy products.

“The Stratford police service encourages everyone to treat cannabis (THC) edibles like medication,” Mounfield said. “THC gummies can look and taste like regular candy, and they should be treated with the same level of caution as prescription medication.”

Because edible cannabis products are legal for adults, Mounfield said some users may overlook the potential risks they pose if not stored properly or brought into public spaces.

“Just because they are legal does not mean risk-free,” he said. “THC gummies require responsible storage, awareness and prevention to help protect children, families and others in the community.”

Mounfield added cannabis edibles should remain in their original sealed packaging and should not be transported loosely in bags or pockets where they could be dropped or mistaken for regular candy.

“It is strongly recommended that THC gummies be kept and consumed at home, and not brought to or consumed in public places, to reduce the risk of incidents like the one that unfortunately occurred,” he said.

Police also encourage parents to speak with children about the importance of not consuming unknown items.

Town of St. Marys director of community services Stephanie Ische said municipal staff assisted police as needed following the incident and were relieved the child recovered.

“Our staff are always ready to support the police whenever incidents arise, and above all, we are grateful that the child involved is safe and well,” Ische said in a statement on behalf of the town.

Ische said the town does not have any new protocols in place as a result of the incident, noting situations involving children picking up items from the ground are difficult to prevent entirely in a large public facility.

Police say the incident serves as a reminder that while cannabis is legal for adults over the age of 19, edible products can closely resemble popular candy and pose a risk to children and other vulnerable individuals if not handled responsibly.

According to Huron-Perth Public Health, cannabis products, particularly edibles such as gummies or chocolates, can pose a serious risk to children. These products are often brightly coloured and look very similar to candy, making them especially appealing and easy for children to mistake as something safe to eat.

Because children have smaller bodies and developing brains, even a small amount of cannabis can cause serious symptoms, such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, anxiety, or difficulty breathing.

There are several important steps parents and caregivers can take to help keep children safe:

· Store cannabis products locked and out of sight, similar to medications or household chemicals.

· Keep cannabis in its original, child‑resistant packaging and clearly separated from food or candy.

· Avoid consuming cannabis in front of children and never leave products unattended.

· Speak with children about not eating or tasting items they find on the ground or are offered by others, even if they look like candy.

Anyone who thinks a child in their care has consumed cannabis should call the poison control centre at 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) for help. If the child loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing, call 911.

For more information, including guidance on prevention and what to do if a child is exposed to cannabis, visit Parachute Canada’s cannabis safety resource at: https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/cannabis/.