9-03-2023 3:55pm

A Fresh Take: When Does Edible Marijuana Turn from Fun to Fear for Kids?

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

A Fresh Take: When Does Edible Marijuana Turn from Fun to Fear for Kids?

"Mom, what's this gummy bear doing in your drawer?" If this question sends chills down your spine, you're not alone. In an age where medicinal marijuana is as common as aspirin, the threat of accidental ingestion by our little ones is real and concerning. A recent study has shed some light on this increasingly important issue. Let's delve into it!

The Study That's Stirring the Pot

Dr. Green (no pun intended!) and her team of researchers have been burning the midnight oil trying to identify when edible marijuana crosses the line from harmless to harmful for children. Their findings? Intriguing, to say the least.

Are You Sitting Down?

Prepare for a strong dose of reality. According to the study, even the tiniest amount of edible marijuana can have drastic effects on kids. But before you start frantically searching your house for hidden edibles, take a deep breath. Knowledge is power. The more informed we are, the better we can protect our children.

So, How Much is Too Much?

The million-dollar question, right? As parents, we want specifics. Well, the researchers have spoken. The study suggests that just 2.5 milligrams of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can trigger side effects in children. So, those seemingly harmless gummy bears? They could potentially be a ticking time bomb.

The Silver Lining

Now, before you surrender to panic, let's pause. While the study's findings may seem alarming, they're also a step towards a safer environment for our children. Awareness and understanding are our best weapons. So, let's use this information to ensure our kids are safe, healthy, and far, far away from those sneaky gummy bears. The nationwide increase in cannabis legalization has resulted in an increased number of children being admitted to hospitals, indicating harmful exposure to cannabis-containing products. According to a study titled "Toxic Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Dose in Pediatric Cannabis Edible Ingestions," published in the September 2023 issue of Pediatrics (published online Aug. 28), ingestion of edible cannabis exceeding 1.7 mg/kg in children under 6 years old can lead to clinically significant toxicity.

The authors conducted a retrospective study of patient hospital encounters for edible cannabis ingestions from January 1, 2015, to October 25, 2022, at an urban pediatric hospital network in a state where recreational and medicinal cannabis is legal. Among the 151 cases of edible cannabis ingestion, 80 (53%) met the criteria for harmful exposure. Common findings of marijuana exposure in children include drowsiness, abnormal heartbeat, loss of muscular coordination, and vomiting. More serious outcomes, such as hypotension, coma, respiratory depression, and seizure, occur in fewer than 2.5% of cases. Researchers suggest that the threshold of 1.7 mg/kg of THC can guide medical management and regulatory measures.

By Anita Johnson-Brown