Detective Inspector Kendolph A. Bobb of the Family and Juvenile Unit in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) speaking at a gathering at Festival Grounds following a march against edibles on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Photo: Team of Reporters

The march through Road Town on May 30, 2026, was organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week. Photo: Team of Reporters

The march through Road Town on May 30, 2026, was organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week. Photo: Team of Reporters

The march through Road Town on May 30, 2026, was organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week. Photo: Team of Reporters

The march through Road Town on May 30, 2026, was organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week. Photo: Team of Reporters

The march through Road Town on May 30, 2026, was organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week. Photo: Team of Reporters

Mr Bobb was at the time speaking at a gathering at Festival Grounds following a march against edibles on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The march through Road Town was sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as part of it’s Bible Speaks Empowerment Series, which wraps up this week.

What are edibles?

Edibles are foods or beverages that contain cannabinoids, the active chemicals in cannabis, most commonly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which produces a high, or CBD cannabidiol), which does not cause intoxication but may have therapeutic effects. They can be homemade or commercially produced and include items like gummies, brownies, chocolates, beverages, and even infused oils.

According to Mr Bobb, sometimes children take edibles to school, eat them, and give them to their friends, which sometimes results in hospitalisation. He said complications include vomiting, diarrhoea, and high blood pressure. “These in themselves could cause serious harm to children.”

We want to ‘find the sources’

The Detective Inspector said the RVIPF is aware of the issue and is working closely with the Ministry of Education and other agencies to identify the source of the edibles.

“I want to send a strong message, especially to those who are distributing it, that we know about it, and our intelligence unit is working with me to make sure that we find the sources so that we can hunt you down and bring criminal charges against you for bringing these things to our young people.”

Mr Bobb made it plain, however, that the unit’s job is not to criminalise young people but to educate and sensitise them about what is happening, and to get to the source of the edibles.

He also said his “strong message” to parents, guardians and persons in the churches is “to be aware of these things.

“Make sure you read the labels properly and make sure that you have someone who specialises in these areas to make sure that your children are not using them. Because if they do, as I said, they can end up in hospitals and have serious complications in their bodies.”