California officials discovered more than two million packages of illegal cannabis in Los Angeles this week — most of it disguised as candy.
“Illegal packaging is dangerous to consumers, especially when it is ripping off well-known brands that are attractive to children,” Nicole Elliot, the director of California’s Department of Cannabis Control, said in a statement. “It needs to be removed from the marketplace.”
Officials discovered the deceptive merchandise in eleven stores in the Toy District, an area of downtown L.A. known for its large number of toy stores. The confiscated products looked like packages of Twinkies and Sweet Tarts.
Official photographs of illegal cannabis seized by California officials.
Unfortunately, advertising drugs to children is not a new strategy. Dr. Kevin Sabet, the founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, explains:
As the marijuana industry becomes more regulated, salespeople have discovered new ways to create highly addictive products from its less-regulated cousin, hemp.
Marijuana and hemp are both cannabis sativa plants, but hemp has lower naturally occurring levels of Delta-9 THC, the chemical that makes people high. In a lab, however, scientists can manipulate a variated strand of THC contained in hemp, Delta-8 THC, to produce the same mind-altering effects.
“Delta-8 distributors, [the people creating addictive cannabis products from hemp], appear to be competing with each other to produce packaging that will attract the attention of adolescents,” Dr. Ruth Milanaik told the American Academy of Pediatrics last October.
In a study of 45 websites selling hemp-based products, Milainik found that 53% sold their wares in child-friendly packaging and 96% didn’t verify their customers’ age.
U.S. regulatory agencies have tried to crack-down on kid-friendly cannabis packaging, but parents can best protect their children from addicting drugs.
Educate. Explain that dangerous chemicals can be hidden in packages look like the real product, but are different. Teach kids to look for subtle disclosures that a product may contain cannabis and caution them against eating unwrapped candy or chips — even if offered by a friend.
Disciple. Prepare you children to fight against addiction. Explain how addictions occur, and how they draw us away from safety in Christ. Demonstrate freedom from addiction and relationship with Jesus in your own life.
Communicate. Ensure your child feels comfortable confiding in you about sins or addictions they may be facing. Fostering an open line of communication can held bring God’s grace and healing to hidden sin.
Additional Articles and Resources:
THC-Laced Snacks Marketed to Kids, Hemp to Blame
Marijuana Causing Psychosis in Young People, Legacy Media Late to Party
The Vicious Truth About Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
Talking With Tweens About Marijuana
Talking With Your Teens About Drugs and Alcohol
How the Marijuana Industry is Campaigning to Hook Your Kids on a Drug that Will Damage their Brain
Federal Legalization of Marijuana Gains Steam. Here are the Downsides to Legalization.
Focus on the Family Resources for Mental Health
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