Consumer Alert
Government warns sellers of edible cannabis: Stop using packaging that mimics foods popular with kids
When sellers of edible cannabis products use packaging that mimics popular kids snacks and candy, it can be a recipe for significant health effects on kids — and unsuspecting adults. Edible cannabis like gummies, cookies, candies, and chips have cannabis that’s derived from marijuana or hemp. Some of these foods have Delta-8 THC, which is a part of cannabis that causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects ― and can have significant health effects on both adults and children. Check out the packages below. Would your kids know that eating these items could hurt them or maybe even send them to the hospital?
Today, the FTC and FDA are sending warning letters to certain sellers of edible cannabis products that are using packaging that imitates foods or beverages popular with children.
Here are two examples.
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The letters tell sellers to immediately stop marketing edible Delta-8 THC products that imitate conventional foods using advertising or packaging that is likely to be appealing to young children.
Calls to poison control centers about accidental cannabis ingestion have increased, especially in states where cannabis is legal. Younger children are especially at risk, and the FDA recommends keeping Delta-8 THC products out of reach of children and pets. If you, or someone in your household, uses edible cannabis products:
- Keep cannabis edibles separate from other foods in the original packaging.
- Child-proof cabinets and drawers when storing these products, just as you would household cleaning and laundry items.
- Completely close the packaging after each use, and immediately store it in a safe location away from children.
- Talk to family and friends about keeping a safe environment for kids.
To learn more, read 5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC | FDA
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WOW, this is very scary and pretty disgusting on the part of the company manufacturing these. Thank you so much for this warning because I know how curious children can be and how stupid a lot of adults are!!!
How do companies assume that they could mimic a food product like this and not infringe on copyright and trademark issue?
In reply to How do companies assume that… by Gerard
The “companies” in question are street dealers. They’re not afraid of any copyright law if they’re breaking other laws as is. Most medical dispensaries only use solid color packaging and large labels saying “THC”.
Wow, I know that many food companies use to add a lot of harmful ingredients, chemicals and additives in the food, while in the majority of other countries are banned. Only in this country those harmful ingredients are allowed. They want people sick, that’s the way pharmaceutics and doctors make money.
I agree. As a medical user, I appreciate the fact that my medical products come in solid colored packaging not targeted towards youth.
Is The Hershey Company and Frito Lay licensing these items or is someone infringing on their trademarks? It seems like they could put a stop to his fairly quickly with their attorneys. It is easy to overlook a small THC print on their packaging and many won't know what THC means anyway.
Thank you very much for alerting us (parents and grandparents)! They will go to great lengths to grab our children's minds and indoctrinate into a system. We must be vigilant and wise. Pray diligently for the children!
Good move, marketing cannabis in kid friendly packages harms kids.
I think the shops that are selling these items should be held accountable for this problem as well.
All I know is that you can not drive safely on THC. The kids on the night shift did some, and said I had to make them sandwiches because they could not use the meat slicer, ie. they could not see distance but only 2 dimensions!
I now for a fact if these mimiced my product I would be suing alot of companies.
This is stupid. You can still sell, just use your brain to do it people.
I don’t have any issue with the fact of this direction being taken to curtail the perverse behavior being enticed by the marketing tactic. Although I do take offense to the lack of the same barn burning that cannabis is enduring that is clearly only taking away key tactics that are being made standard by alcohol.
I purchased what should have been a lemonade “Simply “ and I was not asked to show ID. So on my exit of this big box store I was opening the can and I thought it was strange tasting yet I didn’t think about it because I use a mouthwash that uses zinc distorts taste. I didn’t like the flavor after several attempts and only later was asked why I was drinking a drink with alcohol and I was surprised. So when will the OGs be regulated with such vigor and regulation of consumption amounts? Remember the imitation of another is the greatest form of acknowledgment and when the standard is set it should be taking a step back from the agenda of protecting our youth from being manipulated by outside influences yet no one is truly interested in making the hard decisions about what is best for the future of our nation. Sugar is ultimately the greatest source of health impact for our citizens along with fructose. Dementia is now type 3 diabetes and all cancer survives by glucose. The very detail of this argument is fundamentally the act of making a cannabis product in a known brand of candy that the user likes. So no sugar no candy no issue. I know it’s not that easy but as a governing body it’s rare to see the culprit dealt with only sugar is the funding for the governing bodies to exist and it would be detrimental to the state when they have to spank their parents
Great post! The government's warning against the use of packaging that mimics foods popular with kids reflects a commitment to public safety, responsible marketing, and ethical business practices within the cannabis industry. By enforcing these regulations, governments can contribute significantly to the well-being of their citizens and promote safe and responsible cannabis consumption.