Despite the emergency regulations passed in September, illegal snacks containing hemp are still on the shelves in some stores in California, with packaging often mimicking popular food brands.
Last Friday, the California Attorney General issued a consumer alert, indicating that these products may contain dangerous high levels of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and their packaging is similar to popular brands such as Cheetos, Doritos, and Sour Patch Kids, none of which produce or sell cannabis products.
Attorney General Rob Bonta warned Californians against consuming these potentially harmful and intoxicating hemp products, urging people to report businesses selling these products to the California Department of Cannabis Control and local law enforcement agencies.
Bonta stated that illegal hemp products mimicking popular brand packaging are targeting the most vulnerable groups – children and teenagers, posing serious health risks to them. He urged all Californians to carefully inspect packaging and report any suspicious-looking products.
Governor Newsom announced new emergency regulations on September 6, requiring hemp products, beverages, and dietary supplements for human consumption to contain no detectable THC per serving, be purchasable only by consumers aged 21 and over, and limit each package to a maximum of five servings. These emergency regulations were proposed by the California Department of Public Health and approved by the Office of Administrative Law on September 23.
Previously, the THC content in hemp products was required to be below 0.3%, with different regulations for other marijuana or marijuana-related products.
According to Bonta’s office, these harmful products are primarily sold online or in gas stations, tobacco shops, and liquor stores, and are made available for purchase by children and teenagers. Their packaging includes phrases such as “Medicated,” “THC,” “CBD,” “Keep out of reach of children and animals,” or images of marijuana leaves.
In September, Newsom stated, “We are taking action to close loopholes and enhance enforcement to prevent children from coming into contact with these dangerous hemp and marijuana products.”
These emergency regulations were issued in response to health incidents related to hemp products sold in California. The Governor’s office stated that research shows using these products may have adverse effects on cognitive function, memory, and decision-making abilities in developing brains.
According to Bonta’s office, these hemp products often contain extremely high levels of THC and violate the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations by targeting teenagers for sales.
Children who consume hemp products may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of coordination. Side effects of synthetic cannabinoids include increased heart rate, restlessness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and psychosis. ◇