40 pounds of drug-laced candy found on south campus

More than 40 pounds of marijuana-laced candy was confiscated from a West Chester University South Campus apartment on Oct. 20.
“With Halloween just around the corner, the last thing we want to see is drug-laced candy hitting the streets…This was good work by the police to pick off this load of drugs before it went to college students or kids,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Patrick Carmody.
The candy, ranging from the size of a marble to a small orange and presented in nearly every color, was found wrapped in plastic bags. It was apparent that distribution to college students, not children, was the intent.
After being pulled over by campus security, a student-driven car smelled of marijuana. After a confession from one of the involved party, a series of tips led the officers to an on-campus housing apartment on S. New Street. The candy and an empty Everclear bottle filled with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, were discovered in the apartment.
One recently transferred male student, 24, was found suspect. He was subsequently placed on interim suspension and banned from campus grounds. The final decision on his status will be determined after the criminal case runs its course.
University spokeswoman Pam Sheridan said there has not been a drug bust of this size in her seven years of serving the university, adding that she could not recall drug-laced candy being found here before.
The student’s intention was apparently to sell the candy at concerts by giving out small samples to potential buyers.
The incident was labeled as “isolated” by Carmody. However, the story quickly sprung up on news outlets like NBC News and the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as the renowned marijuana-enthusiast magazine High Times.
While it is not the most popular way of utilizing the psychoactive THC, pot candy has seen an increase in popularity in young users in the Philadelphia area due to its easy concealment and parents’ unfamiliarity with its use.
The heavy presence of town police and campus security was expected to ward off any potential lawbreaking by students.
Carmody issued one last piece of advice to West Chester parents of young children, “It is a good time to remind parents to check the candy collected by their children during Halloween and to discard anything that looks suspicious. We want all of our kids to stay safe.”
Dillon Sweigart is a student majoring in liberal studies. He can be reached at DS734656@wcupa.edu.