Four-year-old in Quebec poisoned by cannabis after eating Halloween chocolate

QUEBEC — The Sûreté du Québec has opened an investigation after a four-year-old child suffered cannabis poisoning from a piece of chocolate that his family believes was part of the candy collected during Halloween celebrations in Drummondville.

The family said the boy, named Milan, was admitted to hospital after he developed worrying symptoms, including extreme drowsiness and an irregular heartbeat.

Local reports said a urine test detected THC, the main compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. However, the investigation has not yet established the source of the substance or how it got into the child's body.

Ordinary-looking chocolate becomes an emergency

The incident took place on Thursday, Nov. 5, five days after Halloween celebrations held on Oct. 31.

Rebecca Lefebvre, a member of the child's family, said Milan ate a piece of Kit Kat chocolate that had been stored with the Halloween candy.

According to her account, the wrapper looked normal and showed no obvious signs that raised suspicion. But the child complained of an unusual taste, and his health then changed in a way that alarmed the family.

The family said it had checked the candy after it was collected to make sure it contained no sharp objects or foreign materials, but it did not expect that a piece might contain a drug.

Difficult hours in hospital

The child was taken to Sainte-Croix Hospital in Drummondville, where he underwent tests and medical monitoring.

The family said his heart rate fluctuated, and he was extremely lethargic and had difficulty responding normally.

Laboratory results showed THC in the child's urine, while the tests did not detect the other drugs that were screened for.

After receiving the necessary care, Milan left the hospital and returned home. Later reports confirmed that he was out of immediate danger.

Police investigate the source of the chocolate

The Sûreté du Québec, the province's provincial police, confirmed that it has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident and the source of the chocolate.

Investigators are trying to establish how the piece reached the family and whether it had been tampered with. No suspects or arrests have been announced.

It is important to distinguish between the presence of THC in the child's body and proof that THC was in the chocolate itself. The available reports did not include a published forensic analysis of the piece, and police have not confirmed that anyone deliberately handed out candy containing cannabis.

The family asked residents of Drummondville, Saint-Germain and surrounding areas to check their children's candy, even when the wrappers appear intact.

Other incidents raise concern in Quebec

The incident follows separate reports of metal objects found in some Halloween candy in the province.

The Sûreté du Québec announced in early November that it was investigating two reports: a needle inside a chocolate in Drummondville, and a piece of metal in a candy in the Saint-Marcel area.

No injuries were recorded in those two reports, and there is no information confirming that they are linked to the child's cannabis poisoning.

Health Canada warns of cannabis risks to children

Health Canada warns that eating food products containing cannabis can cause serious poisoning in children, especially those under five.

Symptoms include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, confusion, difficulty walking and slowed breathing. Serious cases can lead to loss of consciousness or seizures.

The department advises storing cannabis products out of children's reach, in closed containers, and not keeping them with candy or ordinary food.

If a child is suspected of having consumed a product containing cannabis, the Quebec Poison Control Centre can be reached at 1-800-463-5060. Emergency services can be reached at 911 if the child loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing.

The incident highlights the importance of checking the source of candy and not ignoring sudden health symptoms after it is eaten.

While the child has recovered, the source of the cannabis and who may be responsible depend on the results of the investigation. There is no public evidence of deliberate distribution of drug-laced chocolate during Halloween.