Are Cannabis Edibles Disguised as Candy Targeting Kids? Missouri Cracks Down!

Bright colors, fun shapes, and familiar candy-like packaging—at first glance, these might seem like ordinary treats meant for kids. But in Missouri, officials are sounding the alarm over cannabis edibles that look suspiciously like candy, raising concerns that these products are being marketed to children.

In response, the state is taking swift action. On September 10, Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a joint task force to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that could easily be mistaken for sweets by kids. The state’s leaders aren’t mincing words about the threat these products pose, particularly to children who may be drawn to their candy-like appearance.

Governor Parson made it clear that the issue isn’t just about unregulated cannabis products but about the safety of Missouri’s children. "While some may downplay the urgency, we are treating this as a real threat to the well-being of our kids," Parson said during the press conference. Alongside the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Governor emphasized the need to clamp down on products that closely resemble popular candy brands.

Attorney General Bailey echoed these concerns, stressing the responsibility of the state to protect consumers—especially children—from potentially harmful, misleading products. “Under state law, Missourians have a right to know what is in the products they or their children consume,” Bailey said. He also highlighted that the state is expanding its efforts by forming a dedicated unit within the Consumer Protection Division to investigate the sale of these illicit cannabis items.

The crux of the issue lies in the packaging of these cannabis edibles. Many of these products are designed to mimic well-known candy brands like Skittles or gummy bears. To a child—or even an unsuspecting adult—they could easily be mistaken for regular snacks.

The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), now partnered with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), will target retailers and manufacturers selling these unregulated products.

Since September 1, the DHSS has inspected 64 facilities, finding nearly 9,000 unregulated cannabis products in 39 of them. These products, confiscated by the state, included items that were disturbingly similar in appearance to common children's candy.

Julie Weber, director of the Missouri Poison Center, pointed to an alarming trend: "Our data shows that the total number of cases has doubled every year since 2018," Weber said, referring to incidents where children mistakenly consumed cannabis edibles. For young children, the confusion between candy and cannabis can have serious—and sometimes deadly—consequences.

While the packaging of these cannabis edibles is at the heart of the state’s concern, the broader issue is whether companies are deliberately marketing these products to appeal to children. Critics argue that using vibrant colors, familiar logos, and playful designs makes it all too easy for children to grab cannabis edibles, thinking they’re harmless sweets.

The Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which governs consumer protection, gives the state leverage to go after businesses marketing misleading or harmful products. By invoking this law, Attorney General Bailey’s office aims to hold accountable any companies that are blurring the line between candy and cannabis.

The creation of the task force is just the beginning of Missouri’s crackdown on cannabis products that could end up in children’s hands. While some argue that parents and caregivers bear responsibility for keeping such products out of reach, others believe the burden should fall on manufacturers to ensure their packaging is clearly distinguishable from candy.

With the ATC and AGO working together, Missouri officials are promising that these candy-like cannabis products won’t remain on store shelves for long. Missourians are encouraged to report any unregulated cannabis items through the DHSS complaint system to help the state’s efforts.

As Missouri ramps up enforcement, the state’s leaders hope their aggressive stance will serve as a model for other states grappling with similar issues. But the question remains: why are these products being packaged this way in the first place? Whether it’s intentional or a careless oversight, Missouri isn’t waiting around to find out.

Do you think cannabis edibles designed to look like candy are intentionally marketed to kids?