State officials this week announced the seizure of more than 2.2 cannabis packages emblazoned with counterfeit state approval symbols, including many being improperly marketed under well-known brand names of traditional candies and other sweet treats.
The bust took place last month in Los Angeles’ Toy District and was spearheaded by the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, officials said.
Seized packages were “illegally marked with a forged California seal, undermining the safety and integrity of the state’s regulated cannabis industry,” according to a statement issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. “Much of the packaging resembled popular food and candy brands that could appeal to children, including items resembling Twinkies and Sweet Tarts.”
“California is committed to supporting our safe and legal cannabis market,” Newsom said. “We will not tolerate criminal activity that undermines the legal market, especially when it puts children at risk. This successful operation in the Toy District reinforces our commitment and sends a clear warning to criminals choosing to operate outside the safer legal industry.”
The sting focused on 11 storefronts operating in the Toy District that were manufacturing and selling the counterfeit packaging in bulk, officials said.
In addition to 2.28 million contraband packages, authorities said task force members also seized 31 banker-size boxes and garbage bags filled with illegal cannabis products, as well as 32 boxes and bags of illegal tobacco products.
What is California’s universal symbol for legal cannabis?
Under state law, all legitimate cannabis goods must be labeled with California’s universal symbol for legal cannabis, represented by a marijuana leaf and an exclamation point inside a triangle above the letters “CA.”
The symbol is meant to ensure consumers that the cannabis contained within the packaging has been tested for safety and complies with state licensing and regulatory standards for sales. Approval from the Department of Cannabis Control is required to display the logo.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Director Nick Maduros said bogus packaging like that recently seized “provides a thin yet frightening veil of legitimacy for illicit operators.”
“It violates the trust of California consumers who believe that the cannabis symbol signifies a certain product standard, and it enables illegal operators to circumvent tax and licensing requirements,” he said.
Department of Cannabis Control Director Nicole Elliot added that such counterfeit packaging can potentially pose danger to consumers, “especially when it is ripping-off well-known brands that are attractive to children, and needs to be removed from the marketplace.”
Previous task force operations
The California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has seized more than $120 worth of illegal cannabis products this year, according to the governor’s office.
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The team has served 309 search warrants and seized more than $465 million worth of unlicensed cannabis since it was established in 2022, state officials said.
The task force also seized more than 470,000 marijuana plants and 150 illegal firearms, while making 38 arrests.
H/T: www.desertsun.com
