Cannabis Edibles
What are cannabis edibles and why are they dangerous?
Cannabis edibles (also known as THC edibles) are food or drink products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the chemical in cannabis that causes a high. These products are illegal in the UK, as cannabis is a Class B controlled drug.
Unlike traditional cannabis, edibles don’t smell or look like drugs. They often resemble everyday snacks such as cakes, sweets, chocolates, and drinks, and are sometimes called gummies or bites. This makes them harder to detect and more appealing to children and teenagers.
Why edibles are risky
- High THC content: Edibles can be stronger than smoked cannabis and may contain other harmful or illegal substances.
- Delayed effects: It can take up to two hours to feel the effects, which may lead to overconsumption.
- Accidental ingestion: Because they look like regular treats, children or pets may eat them without knowing they contain drugs.
Cannabis edibles and young people
There is growing concern about young people consuming cannabis edibles, often influenced by social media and peer pressure. The bright packaging and sweet flavours make these products seem fun - but the risks are serious.
Possible Side Effects Include:
- Psychotic episodes
- Confusion and disorientation
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Depression and anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Heart problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory loss
- Breathing difficulties
- Insomnia
- Feeling very tired or drowsy
- Loss of consciousness
Long-term health risks
Regular cannabis use, especially from a young age, can affect:
- Brain development
- Heart health
- Memory and learning
- Mental health
County Line drug gangs
We know that County Lines drug gangs are using cannabis edibles as a way to coerce and recruit children, even those under 10 years old.
County Lines refers to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use mobile phone lines to move and sell drugs - usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.
- Cannabis edibles are illegal in the UK, but gangs advertise them on social media, targeting young people.
- They use postal services to send edibles, which often go undetected because they don’t smell like cannabis.
- Edibles are used as a ‘hook’ - a way to get children involved in drug activity before moving them on to more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Gangs exploit vulnerable people, including:
- Children (especially those under the age of criminal responsibility, which is 10 years old)
- People with mental health issues
- Those struggling with addiction
This exploitation often starts with drug running - where the child is used to deliver or sell drugs.
Once involved, children are at risk of:
- Being drawn deeper into criminal activity
- Exposure to serious violence and knife crime
- Long-term harm to their mental and physical health
- Being seriously injured or even killed
Tackling County Lines and protecting young people in Essex
We know the rise in cannabis edibles and County Lines drug activity is a real concern for parents, carers, and communities across Essex. That’s why we’re taking strong action to disrupt drug gangs and protect vulnerable young people.
Here’s how we’re responding:
- Targeting drug dealers: Our specialist teams are working to dismantle County Lines networks and stop the supply of illegal drugs in Essex.
- Supporting schools: We’ve briefed schools across the county and encourage parents to speak with school staff if they have concerns.
- Preventing youth exploitation: Our Prepare, Prevent and Protect team works to stop young people from being drawn into drug dealing and violence.
Find out more about how we’re tackling serious violence in Essex on our Tackling Serious Violence page.
How you can help
By working together we can help protect the children and young people in our communities. If you see something that doesn't feel right, or spot suspicious behaviour, please report it to us.
You can report non-emergency crime through our website or by calling 101.
Information can also be reported to independent charity Crimestoppers or Fearless 100% anonymously.
If you think a child has consumed a cannabis edible, it’s important to act quickly and gather key information.
This will help medical professionals give the right advice or treatment.
Ask These Questions:
- What did the packaging look like? (Was it branded or home made?)
- How many edibles did they take?
- When did they take them?
- Did they consume anything else? (e.g. alcohol or other substances)
What action to take
- If the child is conscious but feels unwell, call NHS 111 for medical advice.
- If the child is unconscious, unresponsive, or showing serious symptoms (like slurred speech or confusion), call 999 immediately.
- If the child seems well, keep a close eye on them and wait until they’ve fully recovered before having a calm conversation about what happened.
Why this matters
Cannabis edibles can take up to 2 hours to take effect and may cause serious side effects in children. Acting quickly and knowing what to look for can help keep them safe.
Tell us what you know
What you know could be the missing puzzle piece we’re looking for.
We know that information held by our communities can help us to keep people safe and catch criminals.
We also know that our communities need to trust that we will listen to them and take action when we need to.
Our Police Intelligence page explains what happens when you tell us something you've seen or heard. It explains what to expect and what we need to know when you give us information.
If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right or causes you concern, we want you to tell us about it.