Counterfeit candy and snack foods with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were seized from convenience stores, gas stations, and vaping stores in North Carolina..Some of the brands included Skittles, Nerds, Jolly Ranchers, and Girl Scout cookies, which are typically targeted at children..State authorities confiscated approximately $224,000 worth of counterfeit products..Some of the candy resembled THC candy handed out for Halloween in Winnipeg and Richmond (BC), which sent one child to the hospital in Richmond..READ MORE Edible marijuana candies handed out for Halloween in Winnipeg, one BC child in hospital.The North Carolina Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force and the Counterfeit Trademark Enforcement agents worked with local police to seize the products..“Our agents launched this coordinated enforcement effort after seeing a growing trend of THC-infused gummies and snacks concealed in packaging counterfeiting popular snack brands marketed to children,” said North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall in a press release..“These are brands that kids can easily pick up and consume without knowing what’s really in it.”. Nerds Red .A 4-year-old boy in Virginia died earlier in 2022 when he ate THC gummies and they ruled the cause of death as a high toxicity level of THC. His mother was charged with his death..However, there is a dispute in the medical community, as it is unclear if someone can die directly from THC..The packaging on the products included that THC was contained in them. However, Marshall is concerned that it is easy to miss the THC warning..“The fact that so many of these products were counterfeiting brands geared toward kids is very troubling,” said Marshall..The stores carrying the counterfeit THC candy were given warnings and they made no arrests, as it was an “educational enforcement sweep.”.“The individuals were given warnings with the understanding that our agents, along with local task force agents, will be checking back in on them,” said a North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson..“A significant health concern behind this is that even though adults who are making these purchases know what they are buying, children could be attracted to the packaging, not knowing that the products contain THC.”.Before Halloween, Roxboro Police in North Carolina seized 145 counterfeit products, including Nerds, Sour Patch Kids, Oreos, and Cocoa Puffs cereal, all with THC.
