According to CNN, at least 60 primary school students, aged 7 to 12, unknowingly consumed the candy, which contains the narcotic substance derived from cannabis.
Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams said in a statement that the health condition of the hospitalized children was not critical.
In a post on X, Minister Williams also stated that the candy caused the children to vomit and hallucinate.
Noting that he visited more than 60 children in the hospital where they were treated, Williams also shared a photo of the candy.
In the photo shared by Williams, it is seen that on the back of the candy package, the government warning "keep out of reach of children" and "not intended for use by persons under 21 years of age".
According to information on the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website, the product contains the chemical compound "Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol", which causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects in the plant Cannabis sativa, "a variety of marijuana and hemp".
The candy packaging states that the product is not approved by the FDA.
With the regulations introduced in Jamaica in 2015, possession of up to 57 grams of cannabis by people over the age of 18 is considered a "misdemeanor".
Children hospitalized after eating candy containing drugs
More than 60 elementary school students in Jamaica were reportedly hospitalized after unknowingly eating candy containing the narcotic substance derived from cannabis.
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