Health Controversy over Marijuana-Shaped Candies
Controversy over marijuana-shaped candies sold across the United States is gaining momentum as parents and anti-drug activists in New York raise concerns about the message they are sending to kids.
The candy rings and lollipops hit the market 6 to 9 months ago and are distributed by the company Kalan LP. Although they do not contain illegal substances and taste like a sour apple, the candies promote the legalization of marijuana.
Each of the candies' wrappers has "Legalize" written on it.
Some parents believe they invite children to try "the real thing", according to a report Monday by the Associated Press.
"We're already dealing with a high amount of drug abuse and drug activity and trying to raise children so they don't think using illegal substances is acceptable," Buffalo, NY Councilmember Darius Pridgen told the AP. "So to have a licensed store sell candy to kids that depicts an illegal substance is just ignorant and irresponsible."
Pridgen and other members of the city council are seeking to block stores from selling the candies in the city and embarrass those who carry it, according to the Associated Press.
Pro marijuana legalization activists are not backed by science and on the contrary "trivializing drug use is a threat to public health,” a spokesman for the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy said, according to AP.
The pot-shaped candies may also put in jeopardy the pro legalization movement itself. According to one of the websites from a pro legalization organization, marijuana smoking should only be used responsibly by adults and is not for children.
But parents believe kids are the ones getting the invitation to smoke marijuana from the candy.
"It's the whole idea that it promotes drugs and the idea that, here, you'll look cool if you use this -- which is what gets these kids in trouble in the very first place," said Jodie Altman, at Renaissance House, a treatment center for youth with drug and alcohol addiction, according to the report.