Chatham County Sheriff Warns of Illegal THC Snack Imitations After Traffic Stop, Drug Bust

Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson and his office are warning community members about distinguishing typical snacks from similarly-styled THC-infused products after a traffic stop and drug bust led to the seizure of several edibles.

A release from the office on Friday detailed the traffic stop, arrest and charges against 23-year-old David Rodriguez of Siler City on Tuesday, Apr. 14. When Rodriguez was pulled over in Siler City, deputies conducted a probable cause search of his vehicle and found “felony quantity of marijuana, marijuana-infused edibles, and a concealed firearm,” according to the alert. After obtaining a warrant, a follow-up search by law enforcement at Rodriguez’s residence turned up more of the drug and “a large quantity of marijuana-infused edible products.”

The sheriff’s office shared photos of the illegal edibles in its release, which parody popular candy brands like Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish and Lifesavers, as well as brands of chips and cereals. Investigators and Sheriff Roberson flagged that — although many had labels mentioning they are not for children — the style and resemblance of everyday snacks presents a danger. The local law enforcement agency urged parents and community members to be aware of similar THC-infused products and to regularly speak with children about the dangers of eating both snacks not bought through a store and unknown substances.

“These products are clearly designed to catch the eye,” Roberson said in his office’s release. “When you see packaging that looks like something a child might grab off a shelf or an adult might not think twice about, it raises serious concerns.”

Rodriguez faces several felony charges stemming from the search and seizure. They include: felony possession of marijuana; possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance; maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances; possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school; and carrying a concealed gun. The local magistrate set his total bond for the charges at $20,000 and Rodriguez’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 11.

While recreational marijuana is not legal in North Carolina, hemp has been decriminalized because it is under the 0.3% limit of delta-9 THC that creates the psychoactive high. Many items classified as hemp, though, are not regulated beyond that limit and do not have a minimum legal purchasing age. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office made arrests and seizures last September in a Pittsboro convenience store and a Siler City convenience store after lab tests of vapes came back with more than 10 to 200 times the legal limit. Similarly, the law enforcement agency warned about how the vape products were packaged in a way to attract younger buyers.

While some proposals of state government laws to curb delta 8 and delta 9 THC were debated in the North Carolina General Assembly in 2025, nothing was approved. Both as attorney general and now as governor, Gov. Josh Stein has criticized the lack of regulation and enforcement of THC levels in cannabis products. He created the State Advisory Council on Cannabis last June and tasked its members with creating “a comprehensive approach to regulate cannabis sales” — with the group recently sharing a report that recommended lawmakers craft a statewide way to regulate hemp and intoxicating THC products as part of broader enforcement from legalizing marijuana use for adults.

Featured photo via the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

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Chatham County Sheriff Warns of Illegal THC Snack Imitations After Traffic Stop, Drug Bust

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