Image by nneem from Pixabay
Illicit cannabis products with packages easily confused as children’s products may be in circulation this Halloween. In fact, over 2.2 million products were seized in California in early fall.
Intercepting these illicit cannabis products just in time for the candy season is just one step in keeping our children safe.
These products may have been perceived as part of the state’s regulated cannabis industry, but a forged state seal undermines the agency’s integrity and puts families at risk.
The agency has seized more than $120 million in illicit cannabis goods this year alone.
Here’s what you need to know about illicit cannabis packages marketed at children’s candy seized in California.
A recent operation in Los Angeles’s Toy District conducted by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce recently seized over two million packages containing cannabis products.
The operation focused on 11 storefronts in the district, where numerous businesses were manufacturing and selling bulk packaging used in the illicit cannabis market. This packaging, meant to “deceive customers and thwart state safety and quality regulation” is not tolerated.
The taskforce seized 31 banker-sized boxes and garbage bags filled with illicit cannabis. A total of 2,279,900 contraband packages were seized. Additionally, 32 boxes and bags of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products were also seized.
Many of these products resembled popular food and candy brands on the market.
Products like Twinkies and Sweet Tarts that could appeal to children.
Many of these seized illicit cannabis packages included the forged official California seal. A violation that results in confusing consumers into believing they are purchasing a regulated product.
“This packaging provides a thin yet frightening veil of legitimacy for illicit operators,” said California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) Director Nick Maduros. “It violates the trust of California consumers who believe that the cannabis symbol signifies a certain product standard, and it enables illegal operators to circumvent tax and licensing requirements.”
The CDTFA has certain requirements for a cannabis product to display the approved California seal.
Registration with the agency is required. To legally sell or store packaging with the marked symbol, businesses must apply for and receive licenses with the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
Packaging requirements must be met in order to legally sell cannabis products in the state. These goods must be clearly labeled so consumers are informed of what they are buying to prevent “unintended use.” Packages must include child-resistant, tamper-evident, resealable packaging and include the universal symbol for cannabis. If the product is edible, the package must also be opaque.
Cannabis packaging cannot appear marketed to children or resemble products traditionally marketed to children.
In the recent news release, California Governor Gavin Newsom comments on the recent crackdowns.
“California is committed to supporting our safe and legal cannabis market. We will not tolerate criminal activity that undermines the legal market, especially when it puts children at risk. This successful operation in the Toy District reinforces our commitment and sends a clear warning to criminals choosing to operate outside the safer legal industry.”
— Governor Gavin Newsom
This recent seizure of illicit cannabis is just some of the recent activities the state has done to keep harmful products out of the hands of unknowing consumers and strengthen the state’s cannabis regulation authority.
Since 2022, when the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force was created, over $465 million in unlicensed cannabis products have been seized.
At least 309 search warrants and 38 arrests have been made. The taskforce eradicated 470,435 illegal cannabis plants and seized 150 illegal firearms in the process.
While it seems unlikely someone would purposely give children expensive cannabis products on Halloween, these candy-themed packages may inadvertently make their way into trick-or-treat bags.
For many safety reasons, parents and caregivers should inspect their child’s candy before allowing them to eat it.
Pay special attention to the packaging. If the logo looks a little off, colors aren’t quite right, or the universal symbol of cannabis (marijuana leaf) is observed, report the product.
Always keep cannabis products, if you have them in your home, out of reach of children. If they appear to look like a candy or food item, or even just curious about them, they may be tempted to eat them.
Even small amounts in children can have serious consequences.
Keep these products away from other foods, in a place children cannot get to, and properly sealed.
If your child has consumed an edible cannabis product, serious complications may occur. According to a study on phone calls to poison control centers, about half of the 4,172 calls involved THC edibles.
Childhood exposures were twice as common in states that had legalized marijuana, with most calls involving young children (ages three to five years old).
Those under age 10 were more likely to require hospitalization than older kids.
Marijuana intoxication or THC poisoning may occur in a child that consumes food or drink containing THC.
Symptoms may include:
In some cases, hallucination, dangerous drops in blood pressure, and slow heart rate may occur. Rarely, the child may fall into a coma.
According to WebMD, if you believe your child may have consumed an edible or drink containing THC you should call the poison control center hotline immediately.
Poison Control Hotline: (800) 222-1222
Even if the child is not showing symptoms, they need immediate help. It may take some time for the effects to show up. Call right away to get the right information and the best next steps.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Be On the Lookout for Illicit Cannabis Products Marketed as Children’s Candy This Halloween. Over 2.2 Million Products Seized in California.,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
The St. Louis Department of Health have announced an outbreak of Ecoli illnesses linked to…
Recent studies have found lead in dark chocolate products. Even those labeled organic! Turns out,…
When you think about mutant bacteria in the news, most people think about drug resistance.…
The much anticipated unified Human Foods Program went into effect on October 1, 2024. With…
We are all guilty (or at least I hope we are so I don't feel…
Halloween candy shelf life and storage tips to keep your goodies fresh! We live in…