Parents Warned About Cannabis Edibles Marketed Toward Children

RICHMOND, VA —Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring joined attorneys general from several states this week in warning about the dangers of cannabis edibles and hemp derivatives that come in packaging designed to look like well-known snack foods, which are marketed toward children. The warnings come just days before Halloween.

The products can have names similar to snack foods, like Stoney Patch or Double Stuf Stoneo, or simply use the same name as the popular snack food.

In a Wednesday press release, Herring noted that the cannabis edible products are unregulated, illegal and can be extremely dangerous, especially if ingested by children.

The products, Herring said, may contain a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. If eaten by children, this can lead to an accidental overdose.

The Department of Homeland Security has said the most common overdose incidents among children are related to the ingestion of edible cannabis foods.

Meanwhile, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that in the first half of 2021 alone, poison control hotlines received an estimated 2,622 calls for help related to young children ingesting cannabis products.

"While Virginia has now legalized adult-use cannabis, we must remain vigilant and ensure that our children are protected from accidentally ingesting edible cannabis products," Herring said. "Edible cannabis products are of significant concern because they are often deliberately packaged in a manner to resemble products familiar to children, such as cereal, snacks or candy."

The recreational use of marijuana in Virginia became legal over the summer, though regulated cannabis products are not being sold yet legally in the Commonwealth.

Herring said his office is committed to ensuring that when the lawful sale of cannabis products begins in Virginia, that it is "done so in a safe and responsible manner," which means also focusing on edibles packaged like snack foods.

"I hope to work with the legislature in the upcoming session to make sure that we're appropriately addressing and regulating dangerous synthetic cannabis look-alike products," Herring said.

According to Herring, adults should take strong precautions to ensure that children do not have access to any products containing cannabis. He also encourages parents to speak to their children, and young adults, to provide guidance about the dangers of cannabis look-alike products.

Herring said that only adults 21 and over are permitted to consume cannabis products containing THC.

The attorney general said symptoms of a THC overdose include: respiratory distress, loss of coordination, lethargy and loss of consciousness.

If a parent suspects their child has eaten a food containing high amounts of THC and becomes sick, they should call the Virginia Poison Center Hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222.