Lawmakers advanced a measure Monday that would ban delta-8 THC, a chemical compound that is found in marijuana but isn’t regulated under state cannabis laws.
Cannabis experts and parents are concerned that delta-8 products sold at gas stations and corner stores attract children because they are packaged to look like candy.
Michael Gillespie, a Washington Township resident, told lawmakers his 15-year-old son became dizzy after ingesting sour watermelon gummies with 600 milligrams of delta-8 he bought at a convenience store, and later passed out in a forest, prompting a police search.
Gillespie said he was stunned when his son — who had to be taken to a hospital when he was found — gave him the wrapper the candy came in and it looked just like the wrappers for normal candy.
“I was blown away. We had no idea that this was out there,” he said.