Hong Kong father jailed for 8½ months on child abuse, drug charges after sisters aged 2 and 4 eat cannabidiol sweets

He was found guilty earlier this month of two counts of child neglect and one of drug possession.

His defence that police had coerced him into making an incriminatory statement failed to convince the court.

The trial heard the two sisters, aged four and two, unknowingly ate the candy stored in their father’s bedroom while the defendant was out with friends on June 25 last year.

The sisters were sent to hospital after the defendant’s younger brother saw the younger girl shiver upon eating a white, rectangular gummy from a pack of what was claimed to be “popping candies”.

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The two girls were in a serious condition, with the elder sister losing consciousness at one point and displaying uncontrolled laughter at times. Their condition improved a few days later.

The defendant’s estranged wife filed a report with police after visiting the girls in Tuen Mun Hospital.

The construction worker said under caution his daughters “had probably eaten weed gummies” and admitted he had bought nine pieces of the outlawed confectionery for self-consumption.

The defence earlier argued the 26-year-old had made an involuntary confession because a police officer had threatened to investigate his family members if he refused to cooperate.

The magistrate dismissed that contention and said an adult could not have recklessly given a detailed account to police in the prospect of prosecution.

The defence said in mitigation that the father bought the gummies because he was upset by his wife’s divorce request. The lawyer said the two children were now in the care of their mother, which minimised the risk of the defendant reoffending.

Cannabidiol was last year added to the city’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, which lists more than 200 substances, including cocaine, cannabis, crystal meth and heroin.

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Derived from cannabis plants, cannabidiol is used as a non-addictive remedy for anxiety, insomnia and muscle pain. It is commonly infused into oils, coffee, beer and beauty products.

Before the ban took effect, products containing CBD were allowed if other prohibited ingredients derived from cannabis were not present.

Possession or consumption of CBD products is punishable by up to seven years in jail and a maximum fine of HK$1 million.

Ill-treatment or neglect of a child is punishable by up to 10 years in jail under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance.