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Take care with cannabis-infused lollies, mac ’n’ cheese: Burnaby RCMP

With the legalization of cannabis edibles last week, Burnaby RCMP is cautioning consumers not to buy from illegal dispensaries and to make sure their products are stored safely.

With the legalization of cannabis edibles last week, Burnaby RCMP is cautioning consumers not to buy from illegal dispensaries and to make sure their products are stored safely.

To drive home that point, the detachment displayed an impressive array of cannabis-infused items – from lollipops to macaroni and cheese – seized from an illegal dispensary this summer.

cannabis edibles
Source: Cornelia Naylor

Cpl. Brett Cunningham said tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of product was seized after police raided the Metrotown shop on July 15.

What concerned police, he said, was the similarity between the seized edibles and regular household products, like potato chips, drinks, cookies and cheesecake – and how attractive some might be to kids.

“They’re so similar in appearance. We have to be careful about that,” he said

While many of the seized items were labelled “adult only,” Cunningham said some kids may not be able to read the label before eating them.

cannabis edibles
Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Brett Cunningham holds up some cannabis infused macaroni and cheese seized from an illegal dispensary in Metrotown this summer. - Cornelia Naylor

Cunningham also cautioned consumers away from illegal dispensaries, saying labelling may be inaccurate and consumers don’t really know what they’re getting.

“They don’t follow regulations,” he said.

To keep kids safe, Burnaby RCMP is urging cannabis consumers to ensure their edibles are properly labelled, stored in child-resistant containers that are re-sealed after use and stored out of reach of children.
The investigation into the illegal dispensary, meanwhile, is ongoing, according to Cunningham.

He said no charges have been laid, but those involved could face a fine up to $100,000 and a year in jail.