'Twixed' and 'Munchy'? Candylike Marijuana Could Endanger Kids

Edible marijuana prodcuts Credit: The New England Journal of Medicine ©2015 View full size image

New foods that look like candy but contain marijuana can now be bought legally in some U.S. states, but these products pose health concerns for children, researchers argue.

In the United States, candylike marijuana products first emerged inmedical marijuana dispensaries, and have become popular since the legalization of marijuana in several states, said Robert MacCoun, a professor at Stanford Law School. The products, which have names like Twixed and Munchy Way, can be bought legally in Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon.

Because many of these products are packaged to mimic popular candies, they may be attractive to kids, MacCoun said. "There's the concern that young children will find these products and eat them, thinking they are ordinary sweets," MacCoun told Live Science. "This can be a very traumatic experience, and there are even some indications it can be physically dangerous for young children," he said. [Where Americans Smoke and Grow Marijuana (Maps)]