Cannabis-infused sweets openly marketed on TikTok
Colorful “cannabis candy” is being promoted in viral Swedish-language videos on TikTok, directing users—including young people—to websites selling products containing narcotic substances, public broadcaster SVT Nyheter reports.
The clips advertise flavored snacks infused with substances that produce a high, urging viewers to visit sites offering items like “glass jars” claimed to contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, which is classified as a narcotic in Sweden.
Linda Larsson, operations developer at NOA (the Swedish National Association for a Drug-Free Society), confirmed the widespread marketing of narcotic products on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. “We see extensive promotion of narcotic-classified products on these social media channels,” she said.
Police warn that beyond legality concerns, the products pose health risks due to unreliable ingredient lists and lack of quality control. “We don’t know what’s in these products—whether narcotic or not, they’re a health hazard,” Larsson stated.
Authorities note a constant influx of new cannabinoids designed to evade narcotics laws. One such substance, THC-A, remains unclassified in Sweden but converts to THC when heated. Another, HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol), was classified as a narcotic in 2023 after appearing in snacks; customs officials warn it can be several times more dangerous than traditional cannabis.
Whether marketing these products constitutes a narcotics offense depends on lab analysis of their contents. Larsson clarified that merely advertising items claimed to contain THC does not automatically qualify as a crime. “We need to know what they’re actually selling to determine if it’s illegal,” she said. SVT attempted to contact TikTok and a vendor for comment but received no response.
THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) binds to brain receptors, producing psychoactive effects. Early cannabis use is linked to higher addiction risks and potential harm to brain development, which continues until age 25.