Several students had a “negative reaction” Thursday to marijuana-laced gummy bears at Mulberry Middle School, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Five 12-year-old students were hospitalized after ingesting the gummy bears and two other students were picked up by their parents to be medically checked out, according to Polk County Fire Rescue.
"We have long been concerned about the dangers of marijuana-infused candy, and that it would get into the hands of and poison children. Here's an example of that," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
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Investigators said one of the children who ate the candy told a school employee.
Criminal charges are pending against the 12-year-old boy who is accused of sharing the gummies with six of his classmates.
Detectives said they’re working with school personnel and Polk County Public Schools to determine how the boy obtained the gummies, which were made in California.
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