Officials Warn of THC, Fentanyl-Laced Halloween Candy

Ahead of Halloween, authorities and medical experts are warning parents about illicit or mislabeled edibles — including THC‑laced candies and brightly colored pills tied to fentanyl — being packaged to resemble popular snacks and easily mistaken for ordinary treats. Law enforcement has documented counterfeit knockoffs (nicknamed “Stoneo” or “Dabisco”); in Michigan officers seized nearly 20 packages containing THC and hallucinogenic mushrooms during a search warrant. Poison‑control specialists at UVA’s Blue Ridge Poison Center report a sharp rise in accidental pediatric exposures to cannabis edibles since decriminalization, with hundreds of calls annually and at least one child death in Virginia. Experts say fears of strangers deliberately poisoning trick‑or‑treaters are largely an urban legend, but unregulated or disguised drugs and household access create real risks. Officials advise inspecting treats in a well‑lit area, discarding unwrapped or tampered items, not allowing children to eat while trick‑or‑treating, and calling the Poison Center at 800‑222‑1222 or 911 for suspected ingestion.