Several children from the municipality of Vertientes were hospitalized at the Provincial Pediatric Hospital of Camagüey after consuming gummy candies containing marijuana, as confirmed by specialists in psychiatry and mental health from the medical center.
The alert was issued urgently by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada and several mothers from Camagüey, who warned that all products from the brand Kush Queen contain psychoactive substances, posing a serious risk to child health.
The case has raised concerns in the province, as the minors were transported with symptoms associated with the involuntary consumption of drugs.
In light of the seriousness of the situation, an emergency call was made to parents, mothers, grandparents, and caregivers, as well as to family members abroad and shipping agencies, to carefully check the products they deliver or receive intended for children. “Not everything that looks like a simple candy is innocent,” Tan warned.
Although no official figures have been provided regarding the exact number of affected minors, the situation has prompted the activation of monitoring and review protocols while the distribution channels of these products are being investigated.
The gummies from the brand Kush Queen are edible products made from cannabis, developed and marketed primarily in the United States. This brand has established itself in the legal cannabis market due to its focus on wellness, health, and relaxation, utilizing formulations that combine different cannabinoids and terpenes, with specific effects to alleviate stress, anxiety, or pain.
Depending on the line and type of product, Kush Queen gummies may contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the principal psychoactive compound in cannabis, which produces euphoric effects and sensory alterations. They may also include CBD (cannabidiol), which is non-psychoactive and is used for therapeutic purposes to relieve anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and pain.
Among other components is Delta-8-THC, a cannabinoid with psychoactive effects that are milder than those of traditional THC (Delta-9). It is legal in some states where Delta-9 is not.
These products are not designed for children and can pose a serious risk to children's health if accidentally ingested. Due to their appearance (similar to common candies), gummies can be easily mistaken for harmless treats.
In minors, the consumption of cannabinoids can cause dizziness, extreme drowsiness, or loss of consciousness; severe anxiety or panic attacks; nausea, vomiting, and cardiovascular disturbances; in severe cases, intoxication requiring hospitalization.
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