WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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 children 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 (tetrahydrocannabinol), 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 these packages. Would your children know that eating these items could hurt them or maybe even send them to the hospital?
The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration are sending warning letters to certain sellers of edible cannabis products that are using packaging that imitates foods or beverages popular with children.
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.