Lollies, chocolates and baked goods infused with the Class B controlled drug cannabis oil were seized during a search warrant in Hamilton last week.

The seizure came at the termination of Operation Casper – a Waikato police investigation into the production and distribution of cannabis edibles sold online.

“Our investigation identified that these products were being marketed and sold online via Instagram and Facebook and through a website using the alias ‘Dolly’s Edibles’,” says Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley.

“The search warrant on Friday, June 5, discovered the production of a large quantity of cannabis infused butter and a significant quantity of cannabis infused products including gummy and jelly lollies, moulded chocolates, muffins, cookies and brownies.”

Graham says the method of selling via social media platforms allows people of all ages, including children and young people, to easily purchase and obtain these products.

Many of these baked goods and gummy or jelly lollies have the appearance of normal baked products and confectionery.

Baked goods included muffins and cookies.

“It’s important for our communities to recognise the forms these products can take and how they are distributed to help us lessen the risk of children consuming them.

“It’s equally important for parents and caregivers to be aware that young people are able to purchase these products via a range of social media platforms.”

Graham says the psychoactive effects from eating cannabis products will be widely variable depending on the individual.