By Tom Angell
One of marijuana legalization opponents’ top talking points these days centers around what they see as the attractiveness of cannabis edibles to underage kids. Now, one group of Colorado marijuana businesses is taking action that could help take that argument off the table.
The Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce (C4) announced on Wednesday that its 43 member businesses will adopt a new standard avoiding the production or sale of edibles shaped like humans or animals. “Animal shapes such as gummy bears, gummy worms, ‘sour patch kids’ and others items will be prohibited,” the policy reads.
Retail businesses that are part C4 have agreed only to buy or sell products that fit the new standard, even if they are sourcing from an edibles manufacturer that isn’t a part of the association. C4, which says its members employ more than 1,600 people, is aiming for a complete implementation of the standard by October 1, 2016.
Following New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd’s much-publicized bad trip in a Colorado hotel room after chowing down a cannabis candy bar, edibles have become a sticking point in the debate about ending prohibition.
Leading legalization opponent Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, for example, often emphasizes the existence of marijuana-infused candies and treats as one of his top concerns about legalizing the cannabis industry.
