Cobb County Group Seeks Ban On 'Chronic Candy'

[Wilbur]

A group of residents plan to ask county commissioners Tuesday to ban the sale of marijuana-flavored candy in Cobb County.

Christine Able, executive director of the Osborne Prevention Task Force, said she is concerned the candy encourages children to use drugs.

Companies who sell the candies say the lollipops, gum drops and other treats are geared toward adults and that they advise retailers to sell the candy only to people 18 and older. They say the candies are flavored with legal hemp oil, which gives them the oily, grassy taste of marijuana.

Corona, Calif.-based Chronic Candy uses marijuana-related slogans in its marketing and claims "every lick is like taking a hit." Its hemp-flavored candy is packaged with images of bright green marijuana leaves.

"One of our goals is to reduce the interaction youths have with drugs," Able said. "(Chronic Candy) is considered a gateway product. It's opening the door to wanting to try the product for real."

Able said the task force plans to plead its case to the board during Tuesday's public comment period at the commission meeting. The task force will present a petition with 500 signatures that calls for the removal of Chronic Candy and similar products from stores in Cobb County.

Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens said the county could draft an ordinance to address the candy, but it could lead to a lawsuit by candy vendors or the manufacturer.

"We have the ability to enact ordinances, but the question is whether or not a particular ordinance would be legal," Olens said.

Olens compared the debate over the candy to movements in other cities to ban certain kinds of fat.


Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: AccessNorthGa.com
Pubdate: November 2006
Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press
Contact: AccessNorthGa.com - North Georgia's Newsroom
Website: AccessNorthGa.com - North Georgia's Newsroom