The next time you head to the store, you may find candy shaped like marijuana. It's already creating outrage among some city leaders and anti-drug activists across the country who say the product and grocery stores carrying it represents a new low.
The controversy centers on a synthetic marijuana sold as incense, but it's smoked. Kids cannot get high from it, but that doesn't matter to some.
"We're already dealing with a high amount of drug abuse and drug activity and trying to raise children so they don't think using illegal substances is acceptable," said Buffalo City Councilmember Darius Pridgen. "So to have a licensed store sell candy to kids that depicts an illegal substance is just ignorant and irresponsible."
The "Pothead Ring Pots," "Pothead Lollipops" and bagged candy are distributed to retail stores by the novelty supply company Kalan LP, based in a Philadelphia suburb. It also wholesales online for $1 for a lollipop and $1.50 for a package of three rings.
The bags of "Pothead Sour Gummy Candy," and lollipops shaped like marijuana leaves appear to be a recent addition to the inventory of some corner stores. The sour apple-flavored candy contains nothing illegal, but with its marijuana leaf, the word "Legalize" and a joint-smoking, peace sign-waving user on the packaging, critics say it's not only in poor taste but an invitation to try the real thing.
"It's the whole idea that it promotes drugs and the idea that, here, you'll look cool if you use this - which is what gets these kids in trouble in the very first place," said Jodie Altman, program supervisor at Renaissance House, a treatment center for drug- and alcohol-addicted youth.
Company president Andrew Kalan says the candy is intended to promote the legalization of marijuana. It's already been on the market for about six to nine months and can be found in 1,000 stores around the country.
"It does pretty well," Kalan said. "This is the first complaint I've heard and people are usually not shy. I'm actually surprised this is the first."
An irate parent brought the candy to the attention of Buffalo city leaders, hoping the city could pressure stores to stop carrying it.
Councilor Pridgen say he plans to refuse to grant licenses to stores in his district that plan to sell the product and he hopes to embarrass stores that carry it.
Synthetic marijuana typically involves dried plant material sprayed with one of several chemical compounds. The products contain organic leaves coated with chemicals that provide a marijuana-like high when smoked. The Drug Enforcement Administration recently used its emergency powers to outlaw five chemicals found in synthetic marijuana.
This is not the first legal product to come under fire.
Last month, Oswego County lawmakers asked for help from the state and federal governments to ban the manufacture, sale and possession of synthetic drugs.
In 2008, the Hershey Co. stopped making Ice Breakers Pacs in response to criticism that the mints looked too much like illegal street drugs. Police in Philadelphia complained that the packets, nickel-sized dissolvable pouches with a powdered sweetener inside, closely resembled tiny heat-sealed bags used to sell powdered street drugs.
Candy cigarettes and fruity or energy drink-infused alcoholic beverages like Four Loko have been criticized for targeting young people
And in 1997, the Federal Trade Commission said the iconic Joe Camel cigarette ads and packaging violated federal law because they appealed to kids under 18. The tobacco company, R.J. Reynolds, eventually shelved the caricature.
A spokesman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy said advocates for legalization who claim marijuana is benign are not supported by science. "Trivializing drug use is a threat to public health because it erodes perceptions of harm among young people," said Rafael Lemaitre.
As for the company that produces this marijuana-shaped candy, it's president wonders why everyone is making such a fuss.
"We don't advocate for a political position. We just look at what the marketplace wants and respond to it," the wholesaler said. "It's just candy... It's sour apple flavor, it doesn't claim to be pot in disguise or anything like that."
Locally, Wegmans and Price Chopper do not carry the controversial candy. CNY Central has also reached out to Tops to find out if they sell it.
Would you let your kids buy this candy? Do you think it sends the wrong message, or do you find it harmless? Will it encourage kids to use marijuana? Do you think marijuana should be legalized? Leave your thoughts below.
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Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
