Cute Bear-Shaped Jelly... Warning on Controlled Substance 'Daema Jelly'

Foreign Volleyball Team's Foreign Player Caught with Marijuana Jelly
Looks Similar to 'Haribo'... Difficult to Distinguish

Nia Reed (26), a foreign player for the professional women's volleyball team Pepper Savings Bank, is expected to leave the country after entering with so-called 'daemajelly' in her possession.

The jelly in question is a 'CBD jelly,' made by boiling cannabis and concentrating the oil extracted from the stems, then forming it into a jelly similar to regular jelly. It closely resembles ordinary jelly in shape and scent, and is also similar to the bear-shaped jelly 'Haribo,' which children often eat, requiring special caution.

The scent is similar to regular jelly... Ordinary people might unknowingly consume it

Bear-shaped jelly
Photo by Pixabay

Consuming daemajelly produces effects similar to smoking cannabis. While it is legal in the United States, it is classified as an illegal item in South Korea.

Nia Reed's agent reportedly explained that "the player was not informed about the relevant domestic laws, which led to this incident."

Previously, Nia Reed entered South Korea on September 27 last year carrying a food product called 'CBD jelly' containing cannabis components and was investigated by Incheon Customs before being allowed to return home.

On October 17 of the same year, she tested negative in the first urine test conducted by the Incheon Immigration Office and in a subsequent official investigation by the National Forensic Service.

On January 30 this year, the prosecution decided not to indict Nia Reed regarding the possession of illegal items. On the 6th of this month, the Immigration Office imposed a measure requiring her to leave the country by April 5 and banned her from re-entering for one year from the date of departure during a foreigner immigration offense review.

On the 9th, the Korea Volleyball Federation announced, "We held a disciplinary committee regarding Nia Reed's 'possession of illegal items' and decided to issue a warning," adding, "Considering that the cannabis jelly was brought in due to the player's ignorance and that the product was not consumed domestically, the penalty was imposed."

Afterwards, the federation stated, "We convened the disciplinary committee immediately after receiving the immigration offense review results from the team," and "Nia Reed apologized during the committee and deeply regrets her actions."

Nia Reed faces a one-year entry ban... Likely unable to apply for new season tryouts

On the 21st of last month, at Pepper Stadium in Seo-gu, Gwangju, during the professional volleyball V-League women's match between Pepper Savings Bank and KGC Ginseng Corporation, Pepper Savings Bank's Nia Reed is attacking.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Through her team, Nia Reed expressed, "I want to take full responsibility for my actions. I sincerely apologize. I deeply regret it, and it has been a painful lesson in my life." She continued, "I am grateful for the opportunity I had in Korea (as a player). I respect Korean culture and laws above all else. I know I cannot fully express it, but all I want is for you to forgive me."

Nia Reed is expected to leave the country soon. Due to the one-year entry ban, she is also reportedly unable to apply for tryouts for the new season.

Meanwhile, last year, customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated in a 'Notice on Domestic Punishment for Importing Cannabis Products' that "With the legalization of recreational cannabis products in some parts of the United States and throughout Canada, cases of smuggling cannabis products by overseas Koreans and expatriates entering the country have increased."

At that time, the Incheon Regional Customs Office warned, "Cannabis cartridges for electronic cigarettes, cannabis jelly, cannabis oil, cannabis cookies, and cannabis chocolate are major narcotics subject to criminal punishment," adding, "CBD oil is also an oil containing cannabis components and can only be purchased through the 'Korea Rare and Essential Drugs Center.'"