Pubdate: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 Source: Oakland Tribune, The (CA) Copyright: 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/314 Author: Michele R. Marcucci, Staff Writer Cited: Chronic Candy http://store.chroniccandy.com Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Chronic+Candy MILEY: CANDY WHETS KIDS' APPETITES FOR WEED Alameda County Considering Ban on Hemp-Flavored Treats Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley wants to protect your children from Chronic and Hydro and Sticky Icky Buds. All are part of a line of marijuana- and hemp-flavored candy Miley wants banned. The Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss a ban on the sale of such products today. The candy improperly influences youths and adults, and its only use is to promote illegal behavior, the proposed ordinance says. "The inappropriate and/or mistaken use of marijuana can have negative health effects," a staff report signed by Miley said, and it is a gateway to additional drug use. Miley did not return calls seeking comment Monday. But the owner of Chronic Candy, the Corona-based company that says it originated the candy, says Miley is just blowing political smoke. The company's Web site may say "every lick is like taking a hit," but nothing illegal is in the lollipops, gumdrops or chocolate, Chronic Candy's owner, Tony Van Pelt, said. Some of the candy has hemp oil in it - which is not illegal - but there is no THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Van Pelt argued that his candy, such as liquor-flavored chocolates, Las Vegas or Playboy magazine, is for adults. And besides, "people don't go to marijuana for the taste," Van Pelt said. Van Pelt started his company in 2000, after finding pot-flavored candy on a trip to Holland with his parents. He sells it throughout the country, particularly on concert tours, he said. Rapper Snoop Dogg and celebutante Paris Hilton have endorsed the candy, but politicians are not too high on it. The candy has been banned in Chicago and Suffolk County, N.Y., and is facing a possible ban in Georgia, Van Pelt said. Van Pelt said he has changed his Web site and product packaging to make it clear the candy is not for kids. And he said he is happy to talk to parents or politicians about his products, although he's befuddled as to how anyone in the state that passed a medical marijuana law could be concerned about his product. He said parents could use it as a tool to teach their children about the dangers of drug use. "Use Chronic Candy to have that conversation at home about drugs," Van Pelt said. "Say why this product isn't for us as a family." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake