As Halloween approaches, attorneys general from multiple states across the U.S. are warning parents about illicit marijuana products that resemble popular candies and snacks like Cheetos, Nerds and Oreos, which could confuse kids and lead to accidental intoxication.

In an apparently coordinated effort using identical imagery of the products in question, several state attorneys general recently issued advisories about edibles that are misleadingly marketed. The officials aren’t necessarily suggesting that people are intentionally handing out the THC-infused candies to trick-or-treaters—a myth that cannabis advocates have long worked to debunk—but it does fit within a theme of messaging that seems to crop up every year around Halloween.

State Attorneys General Warn About Marijuana-Infused Candy And Snacks Ahead Of Halloween

In New York, Attorney General Letitia James (D) cautioned consumers about illicit products resembling common brands, saying “these unregulated and deceptive cannabis products will only confuse and harm New Yorkers, which is why they have no place in our state.”

James didn’t specifically mention Halloween in the press release, but she stressed that it’s “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,” James said. “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.”

In neighboring Connecticut, Attorney General William Tong (D) told parents to stay vigilant this Halloween. At a press conference on Tuesday, he said illicit marijuana products could contain concentrations of THC that exceed what will be legally allowed and regulated when retailers open in the state.

“These look-alike cannabis products are unregulated, unsafe, and illegal,” he said. “Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these products will only make this worse. While Connecticut recently legalized adult-use cannabis, many of these products fall far outside the range of what will ever be safe or authorized for sale.”

“If you see these look-alike products for sale, please report them to my office and take every measure to keep these away from kids,” Tong said.

New York and Connecticut have legalized cannabis for adult use, but sales haven’t launched yet as regulators continue to develop rules for their respective markets.

In Illinois, where legal adult-use sales began last year, Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D) also issued a warning about knockoff cannabis products.

Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these look-alike products will only exacerbate the danger by appealing to children and youth,” he said. “I urge all residents to be on the lookout for and avoid look-alike products, which are unregulated, unsafe and illegal. In particular, I urge parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers these products pose to children and young adults.”

Meanwhile in Ohio, which has legal medical cannabis, Attorney General Dave Yost (R) similarly sounded the alarm about marijuana-infused candies on Tuesday.

He said that “levels of THC in these fakes could have some real and devastating consequences for children,” adding that “parents need to be extra cautious, especially around Halloween, that these copycat products don’t wind up in treat bags.”

Responding to a reporter who pointed out that there are no known examples in the state of trick-or-treaters being inadvertently dosed with marijuana edibles on past Halloweens, Yost said, “If this is the year that this trend hits Ohio trick-or-treat—and we’d said nothing—the question from the media would be why we ignored a national trend.”

Credit: Marijuana Moment

Photo Credit: Wfla.com