THC-laced candy causes bad reactions at Ohio concert

BUTLER, Ohio — At least 24 people experienced bad reactions Saturday at a concert here after ingesting a substance laced with THC, the mind-altering substance found in marijuana, authorities say.

Richland County sheriff's Maj. Joe Masi said there were no fatalities. The victims were at Ohio Dreams, an action sports camp about 70 miles northeast of Columbus, for a weekend concert.

Police Lt. Joe Petrycki said earlier reports that the concertgoers had overdosed were too strong.

"They didn't lose consciousness," he said. "They just felt different.

Those who had a bad reaction were taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.

"Everybody appears to be OK," Masi said.

Police said the concertgoers were given packets of candy labeled "Prescribed Medibles" and "Nerd Bites."

"There were about 20 pieces in each one," Masi said. "Each had a very, very high dose of THC. We have not seen this stuff in our area before."

No arrests have been made.

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Earlier Saturday, Masi said the victims were treated by firefighters with naloxone, as if they had overdosed on opiates.

Authorities made arrangements for the substance to be tested at the Mansfield Police Department crime lab.

"(Crime lab director) Tony Tambasco said he has not seen such a high concentration of THC in his lab," Masi said.

"What likely happened is whoever passed these out did not give the people any instructions," he added.

Patrons were attending the EST Fest, a two-day event that started Friday. The headliner was rapper Machine Gun Kelly.