NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Parents were issued a warning Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James to be on alert for cannabis edibles that are deceptively designed to look like name brand snack foods.
The products, which James’ office noted were illegal and unregulated in New York, can be extremely dangerous and are mostly sold online. As they contain high levels of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they can also be fatal for children.
“These unregulated and deceptive cannabis products will only confuse and harm New Yorkers, which is why they have no place in our state,” said James. “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.”
Packaging for the products mimic popular snacks, such as Oreos, Cheetos, Sour Patch Kids and Doritos.
“My office is committed to preventing the sale of these products and protecting the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. I urge everyone to remain vigilant against these products and to report these harmful items to my office immediately,” James added.
While New York State legalized adult-use of cannabis earlier this year, marijuana products for non-medical use are not yet being sold legally in the state.
In states where non-medical cannabis products are sold legally, edible cannabis products contain about 5 milligrams of THC. The products shown in James’ warning, comparatively, contain anywhere between 600 to 1,000 milligrams.
“If a child were to consume the entire bag, the child would be consuming 120 times the maximum legal adult serving in those states,” the attorney general’s office said in its warning.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the most common overdose incidents among children involve ingestion of edible cannabis foods, as such incidents of overdoses are on the rise. In 2020, more than 70% of calls related to marijuana edibles to the Poison Control Center involved children under the age of 5.
Symptoms of THC overdose include respiratory distress, loss of coordination, lethargy, and loss of consciousness. New Yorkers who suspect that their child has become sick from consuming food containing high amounts of THC are encouraged to call the New York Regional Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222.
New Yorkers who are aware of or have encountered these type of products are encouraged to contact the OAG by submitting a complaint form online or by calling (800) 771-7755.