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Buzzby

Bitter Fight Over Sweet Pot Treats
Henry K. Lee | San Francisco Chronicle | 03/26/2006

They had colorful labels and names such as Trippy, Stoney Rancher, Toka-Cola, Pot Tart and Budtella.

To federal drug agents, they were dangerous marijuana-laced concoctions that could fall into the hands of children. But to sick patients who rely on cannabis to ease their symptoms, they were just tasty ways to get their medicine _ and legal under California law.

Federal agents who converged on several of what they called "marijuana candy factories" around Oakland this month seized hundreds of sodas and candies laced with marijuana in what they said was the largest bust of its kind on the West Coast.

Authorities say the drug is illegal no matter what form it takes, especially marijuana candy products that mimic mainstream candies and are attractive to youths.

But angry medical-marijuana patients said investigators are blowing smoke and that the raids are just the latest proof that federal investigators are running roughshod over local and state laws that allow for medicinal cannabis use.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, which allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's recommendation. Despite the law, authorities _ from the California Highway Patrol to the Drug Enforcement Administration _ have pounced on local marijuana-growing operations in the Bay Area, including locations in San Francisco and Sonoma County in December.

The candy-factory raids are the latest crackdown.

"I think the government is once again trying to create terror through our community," said Angel Raich, 40, of Oakland, who uses the drug to treat pain, nausea and seizures associated with a brain tumor and a wasting syndrome. "I do know for a fact that medical-cannabis candy and those kinds of products are in the dispensaries, and patients do use them."

Rick Steeb, 55, of San Jose, who uses marijuana to treat the pain from glaucoma, said he's "never seen (the candy) outside the dispensaries. It's not like they were being sold in convenience stores."

But Special Agent Casey McEnry, spokeswoman for the DEA, the agency that conducted the raids, said marijuana "is a violation of federal law in this form and in the smoked form. Even though there may be claims that these weren't meant for kids, the packaging may suggest otherwise."

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dedbr

before they have " medication break rooms " at work? It seems like a natural consequence to follow the legalization of medical marijuana to me.

This last is the best tho...


Those people are learning. They have a woman boss, and now they are making women their point persons. Helps to eliminate negative public response. Smartenin' up they are.....

If it doesn't say it on the package, it should = 'Not intented for children.' If it doesn't, someone missed the boat on this one.
And why candy? I thought this was medicine?

If it's candy, am I getting a sugar rush and physical reflief, or should I still eat Mamas cookies?

Why is it packaged that way to begin with? Is that neccesary to begin with?
I'm not for sure I want my medicine to look like some kind of kids candy?*%$#


You'd be lookin' at the pharmicist like "Hey, what you been takin' today, dude? Ya give me some candy, instead of my medicine, c'mon? "....

That sounds like some definate clown stuff to me.....

Ded

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Buzzby

There are children who need medical marijuana. We had a story on here about a kid who was a total behavioral wreck all his life until his parents got him medical marijuana and he was able to live a normal life - until CPS forced his parents to stop. Now he's institutionalized.

Candy appeals to people who don't have much appetite to begin with, which is the case with a lot of medical marijuana patients.


Potheads often have a sense of humor. I thought they were pretty clever.

SnowMinion

I also agree that the packaging wasn't specifically targeting children. Adults eat candy bars too! Just like Buzzby said, they had a sense of humor. Good marketing if you ask me.

dedbr

Potheads, Buzz?

Oh, we at least agree on this one...they were pretty clever, they pretty clevered their asses into a front page bust, huh?

That was definately pretty clever, huh?

Is it candy or medicine? Or as usual, are we making up our own rules as we go?

Why give those people a reason to disturb us? Don't they have enough already?

Potheads, Buzz?

Ded