Meaning, in this instance, those pot products intentionally designed to mimic other products — such as cookies, candy, and cereals — already enormously popular with underage kids.
In most cases, the form of THC involved is D8, a close relative of the Delta 9 THC found in cannabis products everywhere. D8 has its own psychoactive properties, but in a quirk of existing law, is still available for widespread consumption with virtually no regulation. You’ll find D8 products at convenience marts and highway service plazas.
For several years now, the Federal Trade Commission trade (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been calling out makers and sellers of these products, discouraging them from continuing to market them. Here’s something from 2024.
Sellers of edible cannabis: Stop using packaging that mimics foods popular with kids
Cease and desist letters were sent to a number of pot peddlers. For instance:
“1) Hippy Mood (Levittown, Pennsylvania), a company that markets D8-rich cereals “…with names like Berry Boss, Chocolate Balls, Cookie Cat Crunch, and Frutti Rocks.” The packaging bears a strong resemblance to Fruit Loops.
2) Life Leaf Medical CBD Center (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina). Their packaging looks a lot like the popular Nerd Ropes candy.
3) Mary Janes Bakery Co LLC (Miami), producers of Double Stuff Stoneo chocolate chip cookies. Not coincidentally, the package resembles the familiar Oreo brand, except it does indicate the presence of 100 mg D8 THC in each cookie.
Those might be the most obvious, but there are others, such as:
“Stoney Ranchers” (Jolly Rancher)
“Dank Ropes” (Nerd Ropes)
“Flaming Hot Weedos” (Cheetos)
Apparently, the FTC and FDA had enough. From their letter:
“After reviewing online marketing for Delta-8 THC products sold by the companies, the FTC has determined that their advertising may violate the FTC Act’s prohibition against unfair or deceptive acts in the marketplace, including practices that present unwarranted health or safety risks.”
That was back in 2023 -24. I couldn’t find any evidence of consequences suffered to date by the pot peddlers, so can only assume there weren’t many. And it does look as if they’re still making the same products, in the same packages.
If there’s not a law against this, there should be.
