 "Photo: Shaun Stewart")
Spencer Gifts and other novelty retailers are marketing a controversial candy, and one Texas lawmaker is not buying it.
State Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, has filed legislation proposing a ban on candy products such as the novelty lollipops touting the name "Pot Suckers."
Other types of marijuana-themed candies targeted by House Bill 74 include the lollipop "Chronic Candy," marijuana/hemp-flavored gum drops, gummy bears and chocolate-covered pretzels.
Spencer Gifts stores are located in several malls nationwide, including locations at local Barton Creek and Lakeline malls. The stores market the hemp treats alongside similarly themed shirts and posters.
"Parents, schools and law enforcement are all working hard to keep drugs away from our children," Peña said Wednesday. "We can't allow these companies to be making money off our kids while promoting a dangerous and illegal activity."
Peña said he was convinced that the companies who market the candies are specifically targeting children.
"They are clearly advertising to our children, and they are openly bragging about their success," Peña said.
Peña has joined the efforts of legislators such as Michigan state Rep. Dudley Spade who introduced legislation opposing the candy earlier this month.
"We don't need to have our young people acquiring a taste for an illegal drug," Spade said.
Tony Vanpelt, owner of Chronic Candy, said he has worked hard to make his business successful and emphasized that he is selling a legal product.
"This is outrageous," Vanpelt said. "They are trying to ban the taste of something."
The pot-flavored confections are often sold by the ounce or 20-sack, and are advertised on Chronic Candy's Web site using catch lines such as "of that real 'chronic' taste" or "every lick is like taking a hit." Several news reports have said they are endorsed by Snoop Dog and reality-TV star Paris Hilton.
The candy is legal because it uses hemp oil, an extract of hemp seeds used in many health foods and beauty products.
Phil Johnson, floor manager at Wheatsville Food Co-op, said that his store offers a variety of products containing hemp oil and hemp seeds.
"Along with flax seeds, hemp seeds are preferred by vegans as a primary source of essential fatty acids," Johnson said.
Since the special legislative session was called to tackle school finance reform, Peña's bill will have to wait for a decision from Gov. Rick Perry to expand the agenda of the session.
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