3 students hospitalized after eating gummies on school bus in Fayetteville

Three middle school students were released from the hospital Wednesday after they were sickened by gummies on the way to school. Authorities don't know what was in the gummies that make the students sick.

Posted 3:02 p.m. Nov 29 — Updated 11:23 p.m. Nov 29

Gilbert Baez

, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Three middle school students were released from the hospital Wednesday after they were sickened by gummies on the way to school

School leaders told WRAL News that one girl and two boys ate the gummies on the bus on the way to Douglas Byrd Middle School. The students were taken to Cape Fear Medical Center by ambulance shortly after they got off the bus.

Their conditions are unknown, but the kids are not believed to be seriously injured.

The students' parents were notified, school leaders say.

"I'm concerned. It's scary that they take something like that and try to come to school messed up," said Grady Armistead, whose granddaughter attends Douglas Byrd Middle School. "I hope they're okay."

Authorities don't know what was in the gummies that make the students sick. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.

A message from the school said the incident is under control and only a few students were involved.

Dr. Tina DiGaudio, the school's principal, said "A few students are receiving medical attention as a precaution after consuming items shared among classmates ... Please rest assured that the situation is under control. I want to assure you that the incident was contained to only a few students and the families of those involved have been contacted."

Armistead is still concerned for his granddaughter's safety.

"It's scary for her. I hope she doesn't try any of that and become sick and have to go to the hospital ... I don't know what to think if it," he said.

Edible gummies containing CBD, THC and other substances are sold at convenience stores and can be confused with other snacks and candies.

WRAL Investigates found that even snacks that claim to contain legal, allowable levels of CBD can be misleading and dangerous. Often, packaging can look like regular food, candy, chips and other sweets.

According to America’s Poison Centers, formerly known as the American Association of Poison Control Centers, reports of cannabis edible poisonings in children 12 and under have increased nearly 700% since 2018. In 2022, there were 6,379 reports to poison control centers compared to 816 in 2018.

DiGaudio advised parents to have conversations with their children about how to safely accept food and drink from others.