11 Chicago-area elementary students hospitalized after eating THC-laced edibles

Eleven elementary school students have been hospitalized after consuming THC-laced edibles, according to Chicago officials.

Ambulances and police officers rushed to attend Fort Dearborn Elementary School, on S. Throop St. in Brainerd, Chicago, at around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday after receiving calls that over a dozen students had consumed an unknown substance and started to feel unwell, according to school principal Kimberly Porter and Chicago police.

When authorities arrived, 22 students were confirmed to have ingested the substance, which was later identified as marijuana edibles containing THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

Police said that of the 22 students who took the drug, 11 needed medical treatment, CBS News reported.

The students affected were allegedly all sixth-graders who fell ill after a classmate brought cookies into the school that were unknowingly laced with THC.

WGN9 reports that the sick children, aged 11 to 14, were taken to an area hospital and were said to be in good or fair condition.

One parent told the channel that her godson nearly ate one of the cookies, explaining that "He just said he tasted the cookie, and it didn't taste right. So, he spit it out, and that was it. I don't think it was packaged or anything," said Trianna Jones.

In the email sent to parents, Porter wrote: “We believe our community member may have ingested the unknown substance in the form of 'edibles,' which are food or drinks that are made with cannabis or other prohibited substances.”

"Prohibited substances of any kind are not allowed at our school, and we encourage you to take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the health risks associated with consuming edibles, and to remind them not to accept food if they do not know where it came from."

One concerned parent, Ethel Allen, told CBS: "I really would like to know where they actually got the products from, “ adding, “because it's not easily accessible like you can just go to the corner store and they're going to give it to a child, so it has to be an adult somewhere involved."

Ora Knowles, whose nephew attends Fort Dearborn, said she was shocked that someone was able to smuggle the contraband items into the school.

Chicago police are believed to be investigating the incident.

The Independent contacted the Fort Dearborn Elementary School for comment.