Vancouver, WA — They might look and taste just like any other sweet treat, but a cookie or brownie baked with marijuana is a potential Halloween nightmare for kids and adults alike. County health and law enforcement officials urge residents to exercise caution around marijuana edibles this Halloween and keep them away from children and pets. Marijuana or marijuana oils are infused into a variety of food products appealing to children, such as brownies, cookies, candies, animal or fruit-shaped gummies, suckers, chocolates and beverages. “It’s illegal for anyone under 21 in Washington to use or possess marijuana or marijuana products,” said Cmdr. John Horch of the Clark-Vancouver Regional Drug Task Force. “Unfortunately, you can’t tell from looking whether these products have marijuana in them, which makes them especially dangerous for kids who get hold of them unintentionally.” In addition to impairing a person’s motor and cognitive abilities, ingesting too much marijuana can lead to paranoia, anxiety and panic attacks. “It can take up to two hours to feel the effects of an edible marijuana product. If you get impatient and help yourself to another dose before the first one kicks in, you can easily eat too much,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. Call the Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately for medical advice if you are worried about your health and safety or that of others, or if your child has accidently eaten a marijuana edible. Calls are free and confidential. Anyone who has eaten or smoked marijuana or consumed alcohol or other drugs should not drive. This is especially important on Halloween, when children are trick-or-treating. Youth marijuana prevention information: www.preventionclarkcounty.org/marijuana_prevention.