After legalizing marijuana in Colorado, accidental intake by children rose up to 34% per year. Children already have the highest risk of poisoning, and they are prone to swallowing just about anything, from cannabis-laced chocolates, cookies, gummies, and candies because they are irresistible.
In Canada, where marijuana is legalized, there were unfortunate instances. Once was with a 5th grader who accidentally gave out marijuana-laced gummies to kids at school. There was also an instance wherein a four-year-old girl was sent to the hospital after accidentally eating marijuana chocolate bar. But detractors have been fast to assert that marijuana poisoning is rare.
The Washington Post reported that kids have a 136 times higher chance of eating a diaper cream accidentally than cannabis. Birth control pills, contact lens fluid, caterpillar stings, and toothpaste all warrant more calls to Poison Control than pot.
Health Canada is expected to promptly veto any marijuana edible that looks enticing to a child, but wise parents won't have these around in the first place. It is best to keep all products out of sight, and reach and label brownies and cookies so that another adult does not think that it is okay to give them to a child.
Effects of cannabis on the child's health
Small children will experience marijuana high more than an adult will. If you think that your child has eaten weed, it is best to call someone immediately. Difficulty breathing or unconsciousness warrants a 911 call, but otherwise, call Poison Control. Debra Kent, a clinical supervisor at the B.C. Drug and Poison Information Center, said that parents should call as soon as possible instead of waiting to see if the child becomes symptomatic. If they do not have any symptoms, then you are likely looking at a night of observation in the emergency room.
Do not let the fear of legal consequences deter you from going to the hospital, even though you have every reason to be worried. Cannabis lawyer Trina Fraser said that there is a great chance that the hospital will call Child Services on you. But they could do the same if your kid ate other poisonous things like Tide Pods. There are other factors that they will look at before filing any complaint, such as checking if you have taken all reasonable steps to protect your child, but they still somehow got into it anyway.
False information about a child ingesting weed
There is information circulating that edibles are often so concentrated that they can be fatal to children. This information is not true. There is no concrete record of supporting the word "fatal" in the statement.
There are also claims that there is an increase in critical care unit admissions for kids in the United States where cannabis was legalized. It is true. However, it does not prove that cannabis is bad. When you have more of a substance around, there is a higher chance of exposure and overdose, but it does not make the substance bad. This all boils down to parenting issues, and parents are advised to keep their cannabis at a safe distance where kids can't reach them. Parents can lock them in a cabinet, the same as with the other prescriptions.
