Gloucester County officials are warning parents and trick-or-treaters to be on the lookout for marijuana-infused candy and other drugs this Halloween.

“The state Department of Health warns that there is a significant presence of marijuana candy and other edible forms in New Jersey and nearby states,” Gloucester County Freeholder Jim Jefferson, liaison to the Addictions Task Force, said. “These candy-like edible forms of marijuana poses a great risk to children, who may accidentally receive marijuana candy during Halloween and ingest it without checking first.”

Marijuana candy is illegal in New Jersey and contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main active ingredient that causes a high. Marijuana candy often imitates hard or gummy candy or chocolate. THC levels in marijuana candy can be as high as 90, according to officials.

“Parents should be vigilant in checking the candy their kids receive on Halloween,” Jefferson said. “Already this year, nine children were put at risk and hospitalized after eating marijuana-infused candy in Florida, and the risk has even spread to our own area, with a child in the Rio Grande receiving heroin at a Trunk or Treat event.”

It is often difficult to distinguish between marijuana candy and brand name candy based strictly on appearance, officials said. The packaging for marijuana candy can look slightly different, and