Federal government orders six companies to stop selling cannabis edibles that look like candy to children

The Biden administration ordered six companies to stop selling cannabis-based products with marketing that appeals to minors. Many of these edible Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products often look like candy or are packaged in the same way as snacks popular with children.

The order comes from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Both federal agencies sent cease-and-desist letters to the companies for making their products resemble "potato French fries, cookies, candy, jelly beans or other snacks," such as Doritos, Cheetos and Nerds candy.

The agencies contacted by the FDA and FTC are Delta Munchies LLC; Exclusive Hemp Farms; North Carolina Hemp Exchange LLC; Dr. Smoke LLC; Nikte's Wholesale LLC, and The Haunted Vapor Room. "Companies must ensure that their products are marketed safely and responsibly, especially when it comes to protecting the well-being of children," the FTC said in its statement.

The reason cited by the agencies is the safety of minors. They assert that young children may mistake the edibles for non-THC products they are familiar with. The doses of THC in edibles being for adult consumers, the effects on children can be serious.

"Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of THC, and many have become ill and even been hospitalized after ingesting 'edibles' containing it. That is why we are alerting several companies that sell imitation food products containing delta-8 THC, which can easily be mistaken for popular foods that appeal to children and can cause a young child to ingest very high doses without realizing it," said the FDA official, Janet Woodcock, according to a statement from the federal agency.