Wires

Boston

Connecticut authorities on Wednesday threatened to sue makers of a canned energy drink called Cocaine, saying it "dangerously glamorizes drug use."

The Las Vegas-based manufacturer, Redux Beverages, will face legal action if it does not immediately stop selling the high-caffeine drink, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a statement.

It contains no cocaine but markets itself as "the legal alternative" to the real thing.

Its ingredients include legal stimulants like caffeine, guarana -- a South American seed that is a natural source of caffeine -- and taurine, an amino acid.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also notified the company that the drink is illegally marketed as a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement.

The drink, which carries a mock health warning saying it can result in "excess excitement, stamina, fun and possible feeling of euphoria," has appeared in stores and the company uses a Web site to market cocktails containing the beverage.

"Naming this product 'Cocaine' is an insult to anyone seeking to deter and discourage illegal drug use," Blumenthal said. "The effect is to verbally trample or obscure the true, hard lessons about cocaine -- for profit."

Officials at Redux Beverages were not immediately available to comment.

Blumenthal said Connecticut is the only state he is aware of taking this step and legal action could entail damages and an injunction against the drink.

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