Police are cautioning parents to keep an eye out after officers discovered cannabis edibles, vapes and seeds at a Toronto-area convenience store while investigating a report that the products were being sold to teens.

A tweet from the York Regional Police (YRP) notes that the report alleges the store — in Markham, Ont., just north of Toronto — was selling cannabis products, including cannabis edibles that look like candy, to underage teens.

Parents are advised “to ensure children have no access to these harmful products and, if appropriate, warn their children these products are not candy,” notes a statement from the police.

Images of the confiscated edibles released by the police mimic popular legitimate candy brands such as Skittles, Nerds, Sour Patch and Starburst.

Making weed edibles look like regular candy has long been a concern in different parts of the world. The candy, Nerds, has proved a frequent target of potentially harmful products, including in Alabama, Utah, Massachusetts and the U.K.

Cannabis edibles have been legal for adults in Canada since Oct. 17, 2019, but are only available through provincial and territorial retailers and federally licensed marijuana sellers for medical purposes, the Government of Canada reports. Whether a visitor or a resident, it is expected the laws of the province, territory or Indigenous community will be respected.

The illegal distribution or sale of cannabis can result in tickets for small amounts, but as long as 14 years in jail if larger amounts are involved, according to the federal justice department. That is the same maximum penalty, upon conviction, for giving or selling cannabis to a person under 18.

The YRP learned of the concern from a citizen who filed an online report last month. The citizen believed the store was selling vape products and cannabis-containing products to “groups of children who appeared to be well under the age of 19,” the YRP reports.

The police investigation resulted in officers executing a search warrant at Angus Glen Convenience on Feb. 18, and the discovery of “a large quantity of cannabis edibles, disposable cannabis vape pens and cannabis seeds” that had a street value of about $10,000.

Absent adequate instructions regarding dosage, the police report that many items look similar to candy products made for and marketed to children.

The police investigation resulted in officers executing a search warrant at Angus Glen Convenience on Feb. 18. / PHOTO BY YORK REGIONAL POLICE

According to CTV News, investigators said the store was not registered to sell cannabis products. “The packaging is so shocking similar to candy there could easily be someone who ingests this as a mistake,” Constable Laura Nicolle of the YRP is quoted as saying.

In 2019, paediatricians and healthcare providers reported 51 cases of cannabis-related exposure among those under the age of 18, according to the preliminary results of a study set to tun until October 2020. Of those cases, 36 involved serious or life-threatening events and 34 required hospitalization.

Charges of possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling have been laid against both the store manager and another employee.

The YRP tweet elicited a range of comments. Summing up the sentiments of a number of posters, one person was succinct: “WTF is wrong with people!”

The investigation is continuing.