text: The 12-year-old student that provided the THC-infused gummy candy that sent six students to the hospital faces seven felony charges and one misdemeanor charge. 
   
   MULBERRY — Six Mulberry Middle School students were taken to the hospital after ingesting most of a 100-milligram block of THC-infused gummy candies Thursday morning. 
   
   According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Leviticus Jones, 12, somehow came into possession of the Green Hornet-brand gummies which, if taken as directed, would represent 10 individual doses. THC is the primary psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis. 
   
   Detectives are investigating how Jones acquired the gummy candies, as recreational use and possession of THC without a state-issued medical card is illegal in Florida. Edible products, such as the candy, are not currently available from dispensaries under state medical marijuana rules. 
   
   “I warned us that all of this was coming,” Judd said in a press conference across from the school Thursday afternoon. Judd had been a staunch opponent of 2016's Amendment 2, the state constitutional amendment that made medical marijuana legal under state law, and earlier attempts by proponents for medical use. 
   
   Jones' parents are cooperating with investigators, Judd said, and understand the gravity of the situation. 
   
   Judd said that Jones shared the gummies with some friends during gym class. 
   
   A total of six children in seventh grade partook, Judd said — two boys and four girls. 
   
   Five were taken to the hospital via ambulance and one was transported by his or her parents. 
   
   Jones faces seven felony charges — six counts of distribution within 1,000 feet of a school and one on possession of cannabis resin — and a misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia. 
   
   Judd said all the children are going to make a “great recovery,” but added “obviously we are concerned how a 12-year-old could come into possession of this drug, this illegal drug in the state of Florida. And two, why did he offer it to these six kids, which quite frankly, with the exception of one little quarter left, have apparently devoured this bar during gym class?” 
   
   Polk County Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said she applauds the staff for their quick response. 
   
   “When they heard something had happened with the students, they responded immediately,” she said. 
   
   Byrd said they went by classroom to check the children, contacted emergency medical services, and their parents. 
   
   “But you know, the sad part of this is, again, we could have been here with a different outcome,” she said. 
   
   “They followed through with the procedures and protocols we have in place in making sure that we keep our children safe. What I want to say to parents is everyone at school today is still safe, they will be safe again tomorrow, they are going to be safe throughout because we do have procedures in place to keep children safe,” Byrd added. 
   
   Byrd urged parents to monitor their children's online activity to see what they may be purchasing. 
   
   “The sheriff and I have a partnership and we have a commitment to keeping our campuses and our children safe,” Byrd said. 
   
   The children suffered stomachaches, dizziness, and one of them had almost passed out, Judd said. 
   
   Kathy Leigh Berkowitz can be reached at 863-802-7558 or kberkowitz@theledger.com. Follow her on Twitter @kberkowitzthel1. ||||| MULBERRY, Fla. — Polk County Fire Rescue responded to Mulberry Middle School Thursday after several students suddenly became sick after they reportedly consumed THC laced gummies. 
   
   Five of the ill students were taken to the hospital and one was picked up by their parents. 
   
   A spokesperson with Polk County Schools tells us the students consumed gummy bears that contained THC. 
   
   The Sheriff's Office said a 12-year-old male student brought a pack of Green Hornet fruit punch gummies containing 100 mg of THC to school. The student shared them with his classmates during his 2nd-period gym class, around 10 a.m. 
   
   The student who brought the gummies to school told detectives that he didn't eat any of it. 
   
   One of the kids who consumed the candy told a faculty member. Detectives located the empty package in the trash. 
   
   The Polk County Sheriff says the students had a negative reaction to the THC laced gummy bears they ingested saying they reported stomach pains, nausea, dizziness, or a combination thereof. 
   
   "We have long been concerned about the dangers of marijuana-infused candy, and that it would get into the hands of, and poison, children. Here's an example of that." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 
   
   The 12-year-old is being charged with six felony counts of distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, 1 felony count of possession of marijuana resin, and 1 count possession of paraphernalia. 
   
   According to the manufacturer based in California, there are 10 pieces of gummy candy in each package, each containing 10 mg of THC. All 100 mg were consumed by at least six (but possibly more) children, the sheriff's office says. 
   
   It is illegal to possess this package of gummies in the state of Florida. Investigators are still trying to figure out how the 12-year-old obtained the pack of gummies. 
   
   Polk County Public Schools sent the following message to parents on Thursday:
target: – A Florida 12-year-old is facing seven felony charges for allegedly bringing a package of THC-laced gummy candies to school and sharing them with his classmates during a morning gym class at Mulberry Middle School in Polk County, ABC reports. Several students became ill with symptoms that included stomach pain, nausea, and dizziness after eating the Green Hornet brand gummies. Of the two boys and four girls who ate the pot candies, five were taken to the hospital and one was picked up by their parents, the Ledger reports, adding that the boy who brought the gummies to school did not consume them. The kids are reportedly recovering. Edible marijuana products are not currently legal in Florida, which has a medical marijuana program but not a recreational one. “I warned us that all of this was coming,” Sheriff Grady Judd, called by the Ledger a “staunch” opponent of medical marijuana, said. (In Washington, some old pot convictions were tossed.)