Parents alerted after students eat edibles at Carter Middle School

WARREN — A 13-year-old student from Lois E. Carter Middle School got an ambulance ride to the hospital for observation on Feb. 6 after she reportedly consumed a cookie that contained THC.

Parents in the Warren Consolidated Schools district later received a letter from the superintendent reminding them to be mindful of what substances their children have access to at home.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, tetrahydrocannabinol is the substance that’s primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person’s mental state.

“It was a low priority,” said Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt Skip McAdams. “It was a Priority 3, which means it was not life-threatening. She had an upset stomach, was not vomiting, and there was no loss of consciousness.  She was not rushed to the hospital. EMS traveled via normal traffic.”

McAdams said the call came in at 10:34 a.m. and that paramedics were on the scene at 10:42 a.m.

“We were at the hospital at 10:56 a.m.,” McAdams said. “There was very little care given to the patient by EMS because there was no life-threatening illness.”

“The patient was quoted as saying she was ‘feeling a little different,’” McAdams said.    

A school official accompanied the teen to the hospital and was transported back to the school by EMS.

According to Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer, the student was observed and released the same day.

“We received information from our school resource officer that the edibles were laced with marijuana,” said Dwyer. “He (the resource officer) interviewed several students, mostly eighth graders.  A 15-year-old brought the THC cookies to school on Thursday, Feb. 2, then again on Friday, Feb. 3, and provided the THC cookies to other students.

“Ten to 15 students were involved in the incident. The superintendent has taken action including sending a letter to parents,” Dwyer said.

That letter from Warren Consolidated Schools Superintendent Robert Livernois was sent to parents on Feb. 6. According to the letter, four students distributed cookies and gummies containing THC, “the mind-altering substance in cannabis,” to several other students.

Cannabis is also known as marijuana. Several students who ate the treats became nauseated, requiring staff to call for emergency medical services.

“In addition to the severe discipline consequences facing the students involved, this is an important reminder for all of us to be aware of what our children may have access to at home, such as alcohol, tobacco, vape, or marijuana, all of which are illegal for them to use,” Livernois said in his letter.

Livernois also mentioned many children see marijuana use as normal and do not understand the effects or consequences of using it. Because of this, the superintendent enclosed information on vaping with the letter.

“Since marijuana became legal in Michigan, we have seen an increase in students vaping and eating edibles containing THC,” Livernois said. “Please take some time tonight to talk with your children.”

In a follow-up email, Livernois said the students who consumed the cookies and gummies were aware that THC was in them. He added that the students who became ill went to the office, and that’s when staff found out about the THC-laced treats.

All of the students involved in the incident — whether they distributed the food items or ate them — “are facing serious discipline,” Livernois said. The superintendent did not elaborate on the potential consequences.