In a recent law enforcement operation in California, more than 2.27 million cannabis products were seized with counterfeit California cannabis labels, leaving parents shocked at the potential danger their children were exposed to. Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday, August 13, that a law enforcement team successfully uncovered the illicit products in Los Angeles. Additionally, 31 boxes and bags filled with illegal cannabis, as well as 32 large boxes of illegal tobacco and tobacco products, were also confiscated.
The operation targeted 11 storefronts in the Toy District of Los Angeles, where the majority of the illicit products were packaged to mimic popular children’s food and candy brands, such as Twinkies and Sweet Tarts.
Officials pointed out that many businesses are producing and selling loose bags for the illegal cannabis market, deceiving customers and violating California’s safety and quality regulations. These illicit products not only violate California’s cannabis laws but could also have serious consequences if consumed by children.
From January to early August of this year, a special task force in California announced the seizure of over $120 million worth of illegal cannabis, destroying nearly 37 tons of unlicensed cannabis, including 122,914 illegal cannabis plants.
Governor Newsom stated, “California is committed to supporting a safe and legal cannabis market, and we will not tolerate criminal activities that undermine the legal market.” He emphasized that the interception of over two million cannabis products in this operation is aimed at safeguarding California’s legal cannabis industry and sending a warning to wrongdoers.
However, the issue of cannabis legalization in California remains controversial. Since recreational cannabis was legalized, many places in California can legally sell cannabis, leading to the emergence of various illegal cannabis-infused snacks on the market, like cannabis lollipops, gumdrops, and gummies disguised in packaging that closely resembles popular candy brands favored by children.
In 2023, a student in the San Francisco Bay Area ended up in the hospital after accidentally ingesting cannabis-infused candy during a Halloween event, prompting several parents to discover their children had received “cannabis fruit snacks.”
As incidents of illegal businesses targeting children with cannabis snacks continue to rise, authorities continuously remind parents to thoroughly check the candies and snacks consumed by their children.
Nick Maduros, director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), emphasized that all legally sold cannabis products in California must bear official cannabis labels and a universal cannabis symbol logo to ensure consumers understand the products they purchase and prevent accidental misuse. Additionally, the outer packaging of legal products must meet requirements such as being child-resistant, tamper-evident, resealable, and opaque.
The universal cannabis symbol on cannabis packaging instills trust in consumers, assuring that the product has been tested and complies with California’s standards for sales and safe consumption. To legally sell or store packaging bearing this symbol, businesses must obtain a permit from the Cannabis Control Bureau or hold an invoice from a cannabis business with that department’s approval.