Children are at extreme risk of accidental poisoning from marijuana edibles: Study

Children are at increased risk of accidental poisoning by edibles and other products made from marijuana, according to a new study analyzing the calls to poison control centres from January 2017 to December 2019. The study found that poisoning was due to ingestion of products such as weed concentrates, extracts, beverages, vape juice and snacks for children under ten years of age, compared to calls about dried or pre-rolled cannabis plant poisonings. The study found that the majority of calls concerned food (36.6%). This is a trend that paediatricians and doctors have seen in emergencies over the years as more and more states legalize marijuana, Dr Brian Johnston, a member of the executive committee of the American Academy of Paediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poisoning Prevention, said he was not part of the study.

"Children are especially vulnerable to cannabis poisoning in edible products. These products look like cookies, brownies, gums, sweets or soft drinks. Many are even deliberately packaged to look like popular sweets," said Johnston, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Washington said.

Weed products often contain 'higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than raw cannabis plant material', the study found, which could result in greater short-term effects, such as 'cognitive and psychomotor impairment'.

"Despite their normal appearance, a single cookie or candy bar can contain the recommended dose of THC for adults several times. Anyone who eats any of these products - especially a child - may experience an overdose effect, such as intemperance. "altered perception, stress, panic, fright, blackouts or dizziness, frailty, mumbled speech, poor coordination, or even breathing and heart problems," Johnston said.

What parents can do

The study, issued Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open, discovered that exposure to weeds in plant form decreased during the study period, while exposure to marijuana products 'increased overall and for each specific product type'.

In addition, manufacturers could develop even more "new products," the authors write, "which could pose additional health risks."

Parents living in countries or regions where marijuana is legalised can set a good example and never use these products in front of children, 'Johnston said, adding the following tips:

Do not buy food that can be misused as candy or other ordinary food.

Store these products safely, in a closed place, away from children - and make sure that friends or family members who take care of kids do the same. Always keep edible products in their original packaging.

More requires to be done to protect children, Johnston stated.