Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Evan Bush

CHECK THE KIDS' TREATS, DON'T FEAR POT TRICKS

SPD Tells Parents to Take Usual Precautions

Just Candy in Original Wrap

Seattle police say to watch your children's Halloween candy closely, 
but don't be too concerned about pot-infused treats sneaking in.

For several weeks, Denver police have been warning of pot-infused 
Halloween treats and telling parents to check their children's candy 
thoroughly.

They showed pictures of marijuana edibles that look "eerily close to 
mainstream candies." Local and national media picked up those 
concerns and, suddenly, "Halloweed?" headlines were prevalent.

In Seattle, though, the Police Department has been almost silent. 
Simply put, Halloweed doesn't crack the SPD's top concerns.

"It's the new bane of Halloween," joked Sgt. Sean Whitcomb. "We doubt 
it. Here's why: Most of us grew up with the myth of razor blades and 
apples. It's part of our institutional knowledge regarding Halloween 
to eat safe candy."

Whitcomb said SPD has approached Halloween with the same public 
outreach strategy it uses every year. Parents who follow typical 
precautions such as inspecting candy and pulling out any homemade 
items or weird off-brands shouldn't have a problem, he said.

"No one's going to eat a razor blade hidden in an apple. No one's 
going to pass out THC-laden candy to kids," Whitcomb said.

He doesn't mean that as an invitation for any real monsters out there.

"I would remind them that's a felony," he said.

The Bellevue Police Department on Thursday tweeted a reminder to 
parents to watch out for pot-infused candy and to throw out anything 
not in its original packaging.

Not to be cynical, but poisoning by pot isn't all that 
cost-effective. Step into a would-be maniac's shoes: At Uncle Ike's 
Pot Shop in the Central District, a recreational store, a 
three-serving package of Baked Botanicals cookies costs $66.

"It's probably unlikely that (a poisoning) would be from a product 
that's highly taxed with childproof packaging and warning labels all 
over it," said Mikhail Carpenter, a spokesman for the state Liquor 
Control Board, which regulates recreational pot.

What about the medical system, which isn't subject to the same 
regulation? The cheapest edibles sell for about $3 a serving. But 
medical marijuana has been legal in some form in Washington since 
1998. Whitcomb said he wasn't aware of any trick-or-treat-related 
poisoning since he started with SPD's Public Affairs office in 2004.

"I think if it actually happened, it would be someone who has made a 
mistake," said John Davis, who owns the Northwest Patient Resource 
Center, a West Seattle dispensary.

It's mistakes that are concerning to Dr. Alexander Garrard of the 
Washington Poison Center most.

"We don't suspect anybody is malevolently going to do anything," said 
Garrard. "Kids get into edibles because they're hanging around the house."

The center reports 194 cases of kids being exposed to pot already 
this year. For all of 2013, that number reached only 158.

Medical-marijuana products aren't held to any packaging and labeling 
standards like those in the state's recreational system and can mimic 
name brands.

Garrard cautioned parents to "be aware these products are out there. 
There could be a mix-up."

Still, Whitcomb's more worried about the known evils like scary 
Seattle streets.

"We want people to be mindful of the real hazards," he said. "A lot 
of people are driving home, and you have added pedestrians with 
awesome costumes."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom