Attorneys General Warn About Cannabis Products That Look Like Halloween Treats

FRIDAY, Oct. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Just days before Halloween, attorneys general in several states have issued warnings about cannabis edibles that look like candy and snacks.

"These look-alike cannabis products are unregulated, unsafe, and illegal," Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a statement. "Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these products will only make this worse."

Tong cited American Association of Poison Control data showing that in the first half of this year, there were more than 2,600 calls to poison control hotlines about young children consuming cannabis products. And children who had been exposed to marijuana edibles accounted for 80 percent of calls to the Poison Control Center in the first nine months of 2020.

Cannabis edibles are "deceptively designed" to resemble regular treats, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "These unregulated and deceptive cannabis products will only confuse and harm New Yorkers, which is why they have no place in our state," James added. "It is essential that we limit their access to protect our communities and, more specifically, our children. In light of an increase in accidental overdoses among children nationwide, it is more vital than ever that we do everything we can to curb this crisis and prevent any further harm, or even worse, death."

Some of the snack-like cannabis products contain levels of tetrahydrocannabinol that exceed the maximum legal adult serving, the state attorneys general noted.

Statement - Tong

Statement - James