THC content in edibles can be 'through the roof,' warns BC cop

A sample of cannabis edibles (Delta Police)

Delta Police are warning the public to be wary when it comes to cannabis edibles and oils – particularly with products that are marketed specifically to youth.

“The average parent likely has no knowledge that these things are out there,” said Delta Police Const. Derek Gallamore.

The warning comes after Gallamore arrested someone earlier this year for trafficking cannabis strictly in the form of edibles.

“I’d never seen anything like the range of these types of products that they had available,” he said.

But beyond the sheer quantity of products being offered, what disturbed Gallmore further was the fact that the THC content in the products was “through the roof.”

The THC in vapes “can be as high as nearly 100%,” he said. “In comparison, THC content in a typical modern joint might be 25%.”

Even more concerning, he said, is the fact that edible products are being marketed and designed in ways that could appeal to youth, and the serving sizes may not be clearly marked. For example, one square of a chocolate bar could be the recommended serving, rather than the whole chocolate bar.

Delta Police

In response to his findings, Gallamore decided to put together a presentation for parents, to start informing them of what he was learning as a police officer. He showed it first to the Delta School District Parent Advisory Council, who asked him to bring it to North Delta for a larger audience on December 5.

He will be making the presentation in the theatre at North Delta Secondary School from 7 to 8:30 pm. The presentation is open to the public and is admission is free.

Gallmore said the overall risk he wants to highlight is that with the high THC content in many of these edibles and weed oils, “there is a risk of THC poisoning, particularly with the confusion around serving sizes.”

A single innocuous gummy bear, he added, “could have more than a full serving of THC.”

Gallmore said symptoms of THC poisoning may include elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vomiting, increased anxiety, and psychosis.

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