RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Several third-grade students at Robert J. McGarvey Elementary School became sick after eating candy later found to contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Officials have confirmed that the candy was actually cannabis gummies, sparking concern among parents and school officials just days before Halloween.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District both responded to the scene. Andrew Ward, a nearby resident and grandfather of three McGarvey Elementary students, said he saw emergency vehicles rushing to the campus. “I saw the ambulance truck come up to the school. I was like, what’s going on over there?” Ward said. He added that it was alarming to see cannabis gummies packaged to look like regular candy, especially so close to Halloween. “Those are concerning in general, that they will be packaged to look like candy when they’re a drug,” he said.
In a letter sent to families, McGarvey Elementary Principal Carrie Mitchell confirmed that several students became ill after consuming the THC-infused treats. The cannabis gummies looked identical to regular candy, and the student who brought them to school was unaware they contained THC. Mitchell thanked first responders for their quick actions and urged families to take precautions at home checking candy packaging closely, locking away any recreational or medicinal substances, and reminding children not to share food at school.
Possession or use of intoxicating substances such as cannabis gummies can lead to suspension or expulsion. She encouraged parents to monitor what students bring in their backpacks and to discuss safety and awareness with them.
Sacramento Metro Fire Capt. Mark Nunez explained that cannabis gummies and other THC-infused products from dispensaries often mimic popular sweets. “Today's candies that come from dispensaries look exactly like candy from the grocery store,” Nunez said. “The difference is that legal cannabis gummies must display a clear THC symbol or label stating they contain marijuana.”
Nunez emphasized that parents play a key role in keeping children safe during Halloween. “We want kids to have a great and safe trick-or-treat, but it starts at home, making sure the candy itself is safe,” he said.
Ward called the incident a wake-up call for families. “This happened because of actions that parents did or didn’t do. You need to clean that up,” he said. The Elk Grove Unified School District directed families to its Youth Development Office for resources, while ABC10 continues to seek updates on the students’ conditions after ingesting cannabis gummies at school.
