Gov. Newsom Leads Crackdown: 2.2 Million Fake Cannabis Packages Marketed As Children's Candy Seized In Sting

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that an operation led by his Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) seized more than 2.2 million illegal cannabis packages marked with the universal symbol of legal California cannabis.

The sting, which took place in the Los Angeles Toy District, found that much of the illegal packaging was designed to mimic popular food and candy items that could appeal to children.

"California is committed to supporting our safe and legal cannabis market," said Newsom in a press release. "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."

Officials said the operation focused on 11 storefronts where numerous businesses were manufacturing and selling bulk packaging used in the illicit cannabis market to "deceive customers and thwart state safety and quality regulations."

The UCETF seized 2,279,900 contraband packages. Separately, the task force seized 31 banker-sized boxes and garbage bags filled with illicit cannabis, as well as 32 boxes and bags of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products.

Read Also: California’s War On Illegal Cannabis: $120M Seized, 37 Tons Of Marijuana Destroyed So Far In 2024

‘Thin Yet Frightening Veil Of Legitimacy' For Illegal Operators

"This packaging provides a thin yet frightening veil of legitimacy for illicit operators," said Nick Maduros, director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). "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."

Nicole Elliot, director of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) said the packaging and use of the legal cannabis symbol is dangerous to consumers.

"Illegal packaging is dangerous to consumers, especially when it is ripping-off well-known brands that are attractive to children, and needs to be removed from the marketplace," Elliott said.

The universal cannabis symbol on cannabis packaging creates a sense of trust in consumers that the product has been tested and complies with licensing and regulatory standards for sale and safe consumption in California, noted the government press release. In order to legally sell or store packaging marked with the symbol, businesses have to be licensed with DCC or have invoices from a cannabis business licensed by the Department.

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Photo courtesy of Gov. Newsom’s Office