At least 15 children in California were given psychedelic gummies containing psilocybin while trick-or-treating on Halloween, according to the San Diego Police Department. The incident occurred in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego shortly before 6 p.m.
The children, who ranged in age from one to six years old, received packages of gummies from a home's porch. Parents raised concerns about the candy and subsequently confiscated the packages from their children, believing they contained controlled substances. They then alerted the police. One parent saved a package, which later tested positive for psilocybin.
It remains unclear if any of the children consumed the gummies. Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, can cause complications in children, including increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, and seizures. In severe cases, children may lose consciousness or fall into a coma, particularly if large quantities are ingested.
During a search of the property, police discovered an additional 2.5 pounds of cannabis, 25 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale, packaging materials, and drug sales records. An 80-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
One parent, Frank Cary, told NBC 7 that he observed his two-year-old child take a gummy. He noted the packaging featured a giraffe and melting words, and upon closer inspection, he saw it was labeled 'psilocybin mushrooms' with a five-gram dose, which is considered a large amount.
Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, indicating it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. While its personal possession has been decriminalized in some California cities, it remains illegal under state law. When ingested, psilocybin converts to psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain, altering perception, mood, and neural communication. Effects can last up to six hours.
Children are particularly vulnerable to psilocybin due to their smaller body size and developing brains, which can lead to more severe psychological effects such as hallucinations, panic attacks, extreme fear, paranoia, confusion, and disorientation. Health authorities recommend contacting a poison control center immediately and seeking emergency medical care if a child consumes a psilocybin gummy. Police investigations into narcotics and child endangerment are ongoing.