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Sickened students suspect marijuana-laced gummy bears

Story highlights
  • 14 students at Illinois high school went to a hospital Tuesday
  • Students told police they suspect it was some kind of marijuana

(CNN) Several high school students in a Chicago suburb were taken to a local hospital after eating gummy bears some said may have been laced with marijuana.

"This candy made those students both uncomfortable and sick," according to a statement from the Naperville School District.

Students began showing up at the Naperville North High School nurse's office late morning Tuesday, reported CNN affiliate WLS.

Fourteen students were taken to Edward Hospital for treatment. At least 12 of the students had eaten the gummy bears, said the school district in a Facebook post.

"Our ER physicians suspect it was marijuana that caused the students' symptoms," hospital spokesman Keith Hartenberger told CNN. "However, confirmation that the substance was marijuana would have to come from the Naperville Police Department -- they were going to do the official testing," Hartenberger said.

Their symptoms included fast heart rate, dizziness and dry mouth.

By the afternoon, most of the students had been released from the hospital with two remaining for further evaluation.

Students told police that they thought the gummy bears were "laced with something with marijuana, like a liquid-based marijuana substance," said Naperville Police commander Jason Arres.

Testing is underway to figure out what was inside the gummy bears.

A 17-year-old male student was taken into custody, but released without being charged, reported WLS.

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