Controversy Surrounding Zkittlez Cannabis Strain and Candy in California
Skittles (or Zkittlez) has recently become a controversial topic in California, leading to the banning of both the candy and the cannabis strain. The California Assembly approved a Bill 418 concerning the harmful chemicals in Skittles, which besides being present in the candy, also exist in other products like Hot Tamales and Pez.
The legal battles surrounding Skittles don't end there. The makers of the popular cannabis strain, Zkittlez, which acquired its name from a trademark owned by Wrigley, have discontinued their product line due to legal pressure from the candy company. This reveals ongoing issues surrounding strain branding hence posing a challenge in the cannabis industry. Similar cases have been seen before, such as with the popular Gorilla Glue strain, that had to change its name following a legal battle with the adhesive brand.
Naming Controversy in the Cannabis Industry
The naming controversy in the cannabis industry is not limited to Skittles. Strain names are often attractive and memorable, but many of them infringe on other companies’ intellectual property rights. Recently, there’s been growth in the number of dessert-like strain names like Sherbert, Wedding Cake, Gelato, and Ice Cream Cake. However, this trend might face challenges as some of these names might arguably appeal to minors, arousing criticism and regulatory scrutiny.
Similar controversies also extend to the naming and packaging of Delta 8 THC products. A recent example includes the Dr. Smoke brand’s Doritos product which bears striking resemblance to the original Doritos Nachos Cheese snack packaging. In reaction to these missteps, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have begun to crack down on such products and their misleading presentations.
June 2023 Cannabis Sales Records
While the conversation around strain names continues, different markets are experiencing varying levels of success in cannabis sales. Michigan, Massachusetts, and Connecticut reported record-breaking sales in June while California and Arizona reported a slight contraction.
Michigan recorded the highest sales with $25.5 million in June, implying that on a per capita basis, the figure stood at $25.37. Massachusetts followed with a per capita cannabis sales rate of $19.08. California, on the other hand, lagged at $9.67 per capita. Furthermore, comparing January sales to June sales showed that Michigan experienced significant growth of 20% while Florida grew by 5%, Illinois by 3-4%, and Massachusetts almost by 10%.
Contrary to these positive figures, Arizona and California reported a contraction. The steady growth in June's access to cannabis in Michigan and Massachusetts shows an increasing acceptance towards the product in these markets. Meanwhile, for California to reach the same per capita sales level as Massachusetts, it would need to achieve monthly sales of approximately $750 million. The current situation implies that the latter state has much room for growth.
As much as the cannabis industry wrestles with various challenges, it’s clear that the industry has huge opportunities to capitalize upon. However, for that to occur, self-regulation and scrutiny are needed to ensure responsible practices and safeguard the industry's credibility.