Big food brands want to get rid of cannabis copycats – Here’s how

Accidental ingestion of cannabis among children is becoming increasingly common. Aside from the fact that cannabis edibles have never been more popular, there is also the fact that cannabis products love to market their items as tempting candies and candies, often copying the design of Cheetos, Oreos and the like. It was only a matter of time before big brands got involved.

The Washington Post reports that major food and beverage companies are asking Congress to take a stand against these products and stop their spread. These companies, which include Kellogg and General Mills, want to expand a law called the Shop Safe Act, which will prevent the sale and distribution of THC products that mimic their brands.

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Photo by Roberto Machado Noa via Getty

Not only are these brands concerned about the use of their iconography, they are also responding to a growing trend of accidental cannabis overdoses, a number that includes children who are lured by the attractive packaging of edibles.

“I can’t imagine many people trying to dose children,” epidemiologist Danielle Ompad told the Washington Post. “But children have appropriated people’s products. Even if parents put them away carefully, kids are smart little creatures.” While she makes it clear that the majority of cannabis edibles don’t copy the look of well-known brands, these products are rather unregulated and are sold online. Usually these products are made by new companies trying to attract buyers with puns and packaging they are already familiar with.

The Shop Safe Act prohibits the sale of counterfeit products. Brands want these new rules revised by adding the term ‘famous brand’ which would prevent other products from using color themes and designs associated with the original brand.

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Reputable cannabis brands are taking steps like child-resistant packaging and putting clear labels on their packages. Still, it’s up to parents to consume their edibles and marijuana products responsibly and to ensure their products are kept safely away from their children.