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$1.7M illegal cannabis seizure includes 'candy' edibles

York Regional Police have issued a warning after finding illegal products that look like gummy bears, chocolate bars, lollipops and cotton candy

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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York Regional Police is issuing a warning to cannabis users and parents after a $1.7 million seizure of illegal cannabis and cannabis edibles that appear to look like common candy.

Included in the seizure were a variety of edible cannabis products including gummy bears, chocolate bars, lollipops and cotton candy, all containing cannabis, that look no different in appearance than similar products made and marketed to children. Many of the products were not adequately labelled and instructions regarding dosage were unclear.

Investigators with the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have processed more than $1.7 million in illegal cannabis and cannabis-related products following an investigation that began on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. Investigators observed the suspect in a suspicious transaction at a commercial building in the area of Keele Street and Steeles Avenue West. The suspect was placed under arrest and officers found that he was in possession of more than $6,000 in currency, 400 grams of cannabis flower and business documentation related to a dispensary located in the City of Toronto.

Investigators executed search warrants at the commercial building as well as a dispensary located at 191 Baldwin Rd. in the City of Toronto and seized cannabis and cannabis-related products. A 42-year-old Vaughan man has been charged with cannabis distribution offences.

Cannabis users should be reminded that the federal Cannabis Act legalizes fresh and dried cannabis, cannabis oil, and plants and seeds for cultivation. The Ontario Cannabis Store, at OCS.ca, sells dried cannabis and cannabis oil. Seeds will be available at a later date. Edible products and concentrates are not legal for purchase or available for sale at this time.

Police are warning parents to ensure children have no access to these harmful products and warning cannabis users that edibles remain illegal, so no safe guidelines around dosages or potency have been developed.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.

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