Colorado Could Make Marijuana Edibles Safer

The legal marijuana market in the US has changed the profile of an average pot user. Instead of a teenager in a smokey basement, marijuana users are often health-conscious, non-smokers who prefer alternative ways to use. For that reason, the edibles market has exploded in states where marijuana is legal. Dispensaries offer everything from pot-laced brownies to THC infused breath mints. While that market has proven successful, critics counter that it has also proven dangerous as the products often lead to accidental overdose— especially in children.Appealing To ChildrenThe appeal of a chocolate treat is universal among toddlers, so marijuana infused products can sometimes find their way into the hands of unknowing children. Additionally, some believe that making marijuana accessible in kid-friendly flavors will increase the number of underage users as they won't be deterred by the act of smoking or an unpleasant taste.New RulesTo combat those concerns, Colorado may revamp its regulations regarding edibles to make them more recognizable as drugs and less appealing to children. A proposed new rule would require edibles to be labeled with a red stop sign and the letters THC, something that could keep people from unknowingly ingesting the drug. The rule could also ban the word "candy" from appearing in product names.Made From ScratchAnother proposed rule requires that edibles be made from scratch. Many manufactures use pre-made products and spray them with cannabis oil. The rule is intended to promote clarity between marijuana-laced and drug-free products, but critics say it could be too vague. At the moment the industry uses pre-made products and infuses them with THC regularly, so a change to the rules would have to provide specific details as to how marijuana edibles are made.