Source: Novinite.com, Sofia

19 November 2007

The European Commission expressed concern about the presence of the word cannabis in the name of a product, legally sold in several EU member states.

The statement was made in an official answer to Bulgarian MEP Marusya Lubcheva’s inquiry letter about the possible threats some marketing practices pose to the social opinion about illegal drugs.

Lyubcheva claims C-Ice Swiss Cannabis Ice Tea beverage is
advertised by pointing that it contains 5% cannabis extract and 0.0015% THC – the psychoactive substance in cannabis.

The member of the European Parliament says that the sale of such a product could trigger positive attitudes toward cannabis use among young people.

The beverage producer violates Directive 2000/13/EC on food labeling, presentation and advertising that forbids giving misleading information, reads the EC answer.

The Commision says marketing a product that claims to contain the illegal substance is controversial to the European policy of fighting drug use and trafficking.

Some of the EU member states have banned the sale of the cannabis tea on grounds of article 30 of the EC Agreement, which approves prohibition of products over moral and social health concerns.

C-Ice Swiss Cannabis Ice Tea is freely sold in Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and the UK.

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