The US company Wrigley, which owns the brands Skittles and Starburst, has initiated legal proceedings against independent stores that sell candy containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
We are talking about one of the types of cannabinoid, which is found in the inflorescences and leaves of hemp. In Russia, its production, sale, import and storage are prohibited, and in the USA THC is allowed for medical use. Wrigley is concerned that commercial candies that contain the component are almost indistinguishable from the original Skittles and Starburst products. Thus, the products pose a “serious danger to society,” according to the company. Wrigley representatives note that there is a high possibility of unintentional use of THC by both adults and children.
In its lawsuit, the manufacturer notes that online stores selling THC candy use similar names to the original, in particular Medicated Skittles and Starburst Gummies. Damage from the actions of competitors in Wrigley is estimated at $ 2 million for each type of product, according to Bloomberg.
Lawsuits are currently being filed against online retailers based in California as well as Canada. The company also expects to ban the sale of sweets through the courts and achieve the destruction of all products.
For Wrigley, this is not the first such trial in court. The company had previously demanded a ban on the sale of so-called "candy liquids" for e-cigarettes, which posed "serious risks of harm to the health of children and the general public."
The candy brand Skittles, today considered the second most popular in the world, appeared in the UK in 1974, and five years later began to be sold in the USA. To date, more than 70 billion tablets are produced per year. Skittles consist of a hard icing with an “S” imprinted on it. The inside contains sugar, corn syrup and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, as well as natural and artificial flavors.