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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is warning the public about cannabis edibles and hemp derivatives in packaging designed to look like well-known snack foods and candy that could intentionally or accidentally be slipped to trick-or-treaters.
In some instances, instead of “Chips Ahoy,” the THC items are dubbed “Trips Ahoy,” while “Oreos” are packaged as “Stoneos.”
“These products are unregulated, illegal, and may be extremely dangerous,” Tong said. “These products may contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and if eaten by children, can lead to an accidental overdose.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the most common overdose incidents among children involve the ingestion of edible cannabis products, and such overdoses have been on the rise.
In the first nine months of 2020, 80 percent of calls related to marijuana edibles to the Poison Control Center were for pediatric exposure.
In the first half of 2021, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reports poison control hotline calls have received approximately 2,622 calls for services related to young children ingesting cannabis products.
The Connecticut Poison Control Center received 88 calls in 2020 regarding child exposure to edible marijuana, and 58 calls in the first seven months of 2021.
Michelle Seagull, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection made note that it’s doubly important to be aware as the state prepares to launch legalized marijuana among adults.
Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis earlier this year, though cannabis products are not yet being sold legally in the state.
"Not only are these products being sold illegally, but the deceptive packaging that does not clearly indicate to the consumer what they are ingesting is extremely dangerous, especially when there may be children in the home,” she said.
“That’s why we’ve mandated in our policies and procedures for regulating the adult-use market that all packaging must be black and white, plain, and child-proof, so there will be no mistaking it for a non-cannabis product.
“Once the market launches and legal sales begin, this distinct packaging will help consumers recognize these regulated products.”
Tong said that parents should be on alert as the number of overdoses due to similar products continues to spike nationwide.
“These look-alike cannabis products are unregulated, unsafe, and illegal,” he said. "Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these products will only make this worse.
“While Connecticut recently legalized adult-use cannabis, many of these products fall far outside the range of what will ever be safe or authorized for sale,” he continued. “If you see these look-alike products for sale, please report them to my office and take every measure to keep these away from kids.”
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