Missouri Cracks Down on Cannabis Products Packaged Like Candy.
Marijuana Skittles?
The Missouri government says some cannabis products are getting into kids' hands because they look like candy, and the Attorney General is promising to get them off retailers' shelves.
Missouri leaders are stepping up efforts to stop unregulated psychoactive cannabis products from reaching children. At a press conference Sept. 10, Governor Mike Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a new joint task force to crack down on these products, which are often packaged to resemble candy.
Governor Parson made it clear the state isn't taking the issue lightly: "While there are some out there who want Missourians to believe the proliferation of these harmful products is not an emergency or threat to the well-being of Missouri children, I, along with the Attorney General, DPS, DHSS, and other health experts, strongly disagree."
Attorney General Bailey echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the state's responsibility to protect consumers, especially children. “Under state law, Missourians have a right to know what is in the products they or their children consume. That is why we are building on our existing investigation into these harmful, illicit products by formalizing a unit within my Consumer Protection Division that will be dedicated to investigating referrals from the ATC."
The task force, a collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), will target cannabis products marketed to children. The ATC will investigate businesses selling unregulated psychoactive cannabis items, while the AGO will bring legal action against offenders under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
So far, DHSS has found nearly 9,000 unregulated products in 39 out of 64 facilities inspected since Sept. 1. Products resembling popular candy like Skittles and gummies are among those confiscated.
Julie Weber, director of the Missouri Poison Center, highlighted the dangers: "Our data shows that the total number of cases has doubled every year since 2018," with young children frequently mistaking cannabis edibles for candy.
