Pot Suckers...

Company agrees to yank pot-flavored pops off market
By KATE CLEMENTS
© 2005 THE NEWS-GAZETTE
Published Online July 7, 2005

SPRINGFIELD - A New Jersey-based company has agreed to stop selling marijuana-flavored lollipops, called "Pot Suckers," after receiving a subpoena from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.
"Due to the controversial nature of the item, ICUP Inc. has decided to voluntarily suspend all marketing and distribution relating to their 'Pot Suckers' product," said a statement prominently posted on the company's Web site, www.icupinc.com.
A letter Madigan received from the company's attorney noted that the company had refused to ship existing orders as of June 28, had quarantined its existing inventory and notified retailers not to sell the product.
Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Merz said the marijuana-flavored lollipops do not provide a "high," but they promote drug use to kids.
"It glorifies drug use," Merz said. "By selling kids candy that tastes like marijuana, it's saying to kids, 'This is cool, this is something that's OK to do,' and it's not OK to do."
In a written release, Madigan said she was pleased that ICUP stopped selling its Pot Suckers and encouraged other companies with similar products to do the same.
Madigan subpoenaed another of those companies, California-based Chronic Candy, late last month, seeking information on its advertising and marketing practices. Her office is looking into whether the business violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
Chronic Candy uses the slogan, "like taking a hit with every lick," and sells the lollipops in quantities such as "nickel bag" and "half-ounce," which are also terms often used to label quantities in the sale of marijuana.
"I've been told by the attorney general's office that their investigation is very preliminary in nature and that they've made no decision," said Tom Durkin, the Chicago attorney representing Chronic Candy. "We're going to respond to their subpoena, and we are going to cooperate, and at the end of the day expect they will find that my client is not breaking any Illinois laws."
Madigan isn't the only one taking an interest in the issue. Last week, the Chicago City Council voted to ban sales of marijuana-flavored candy there, and a Michigan lawmaker is reportedly seeking a ban in that state.
"I think it's a good move, because selling those types of lollipops gives a mixed message to young people," said Anita Bedell of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction problems.