School officials warn parents after edible found in child’s backpack

MANCHESTER — After the mother of a fourth-grader contacted Manchester school officials after finding a marijuana edible in her child’s backpack, the superintendent is warning parents to stay vigilant.

Manchester Superintendent Matt Geary wrote a letter to parents on Nov. 22 alerting them to the incident, which he said illustrated how “easily and even inadvertently” children can be exposed to danger.

According to the letter, the mother told school officials she had discovered a small, wrapped “honey packet” in her child’s backpack on Nov. 19. Her child said another student had given it to him at school.

The parent initially brushed it off but later noticed the word “Pharma” on the product. When she investigated further, she found it contained THC, Geary said.

“We very much appreciate the parent reaching out to the school,” Geary wrote in the letter. “We investigated and learned that a parent who had purchased the packet legally for medical use had left it in the pocket of a jacket that was mistakenly worn to school by her child.”

No children consumed the product, Geary said. But the story still serves as a cautionary tale, he said.

“As you may know, adult use of cannabis is now legal in Connecticut and children, because of their small body size and weight, can be especially vulnerable to cannabis poisoning,” Geary said.

He urged adults to keep any products containing cannabis in childresistant containers and stored out of sight and reach from children.

“Keeping children safe requires constant vigilance, and we all benefit from working together and looking out for one another,” Geary said.