NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James alerted parents Tuesday to products designed to look like familiar snacks and sweets, but actually contain high levels of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
These products, which are illegal and unregulated in New York State, can be extremely dangerous to human health and the prosecutor urges parents to remain vigilant against selling these dangerous and deceptive products online.
“These deceptive and unregulated cannabis products will only confuse and harm New Yorkers, which is why they have no place in our state,” said Attorney James. “It is critical that we limit their access to protect our communities and, more specifically, our children. In light of the increase in accidental overdoses among children across the country, it is more vital that we do everything we can to stop this crisis and prevent further harm, or worse, death. “
New York parents should be on the alert for deceptive cannabis products that look like standard snacks and candy but contain dangerously high concentrations of THC.
Any New Yorker that has encountered these products should contact my office immediately:
1-800-771-7755 pic.twitter.com/dU0Xd2RtNQ
– NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) October 26, 2021
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These deceptive products contain a high concentration of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. If ingested by children, THC can lead to accidental overdose.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the most common overdose incidents among children involve the ingestion of edible cannabis foods, as these overdose incidents are on the rise.
In 2020, more than 70 percent of calls related to marijuana edibles to the Poison Control Center involved children under the age of 5. In the first half of 2021 alone, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that poison control hotlines have received some 2,622 calls for services related to young children ingesting illegal cannabis products.
Although the state of New York legalized cannabis for adults earlier this year, cannabis products for non-medical use are not yet legally sold in the state. In other states where the sale of non-medical cannabis products is allowed, a serving of an edible cannabis product for an adult contains 5 milligrams of THC, but a standard bag of similar Cheetos brand product contains 600 milligrams of THC. If a child consumed the entire bag, they would consume 120 times the maximum legal adult serving in those states.
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As a safety measure, as with any other medication, it is recommended that adults take strong precautions to ensure that children cannot access any product containing cannabis.
With limited exceptions, New Yorkers 21 and older can purchase and consume cannabis products that contain THC. Symptoms of a THC overdose include shortness of breath, loss of coordination, lethargy, and loss of consciousness.
New Yorkers who suspect their child has become ill from eating foods containing high amounts of THC are advised to call the New York Regional Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222.
New Yorkers who are familiar with or have encountered these types of products are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office by submitting an online complaint form or by calling (800) 771-7755.
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