New Yorkers have received a warning about cannabis edibles packaged to look similar to mainstream snack products.
On Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert to warn parents about THC-infused items in packaging similar to snacks like Cheetos, Doritos, Oreos, Nerds, and Sour Patch Kids.
AG James says the products, which are illegal and unregulated in New York, can be harmful to human health, urging parents to remain alert about online sales of such dangerous and misleading products.
Not For Kids
The products, which also infringe on registered copyrights and intellectual properties, may contain high concentrations of THC and, according to AG James, lead to an accidental overdose if ingested by children.
New York legalized adult-use cannabis earlier this year, though sales of non-medical cannabis are not currently permitted.
AG James says the unregulated and deceptive cannabis products have no place in New York because they cause confusion and harm.
“It is essential that we limit their access to protect our communities and, more specifically, our children,” says AG James. “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. My office is committed to preventing the sale of theses 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.”
Despite the AG’s warning, there has never been a documented death from THC ingestion alone.
In the alert, AG James included a bag of THC-infused Cheetos as an example of potential harm.
These aren’t your grandfather’s Cheetos.
Printing on the bag indicated that the snacks inside contained 600mg of THC.
AG James says that if a child ate the whole bag, they would be consuming 120 times the maximum legal adult serving (5mg) allowed in states that permit adult-use cannabis product sales.
Accidental Ingestion on the Rise
Citing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, AG James says that the most common overdose incidents among children involve ingesting cannabis edibles.
According to AG James, such incidents are on the rise and accounted for more than 70 percent of edible overdose-related calls involving children under 5 to the Poison Control Center in 2020.
AG James says the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported an estimated 2,622 calls regarding young children ingesting illegal cannabis products.
Urging adults to take strong precautions, AG James recommends that adults ensure that children cannot access cannabis-infused products.
For New Yorkers who suspect that their child has ingested a cannabis product, AG James encourages them to call the New York Regional Poison Control Centers.
AG James also urges New Yorkers to report illegal cannabis edibles to the Office of the Attorney General and submit an online complaint form.
