Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY JOHN O'CONNOR
Colorado parents will have to worry about more than just their teens using pot after
a new study found an increasing number of young children are accidentally eating the
drug.
"The study suggests the increased use of medical marijuana may lead to more young children
getting sick from accidentally eating food made with the drug." (via WIVB)
The study from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver compares incidents of
marijuana ingestion by children before and after the modification of medicinal marijuana
laws in 2009.
Researchers say ... "The proportion of ingestion visits in patients younger than 12 years ... that
were related to marijuana exposure increased after September 30, 2009, from 0 of 790 to
14 of 588 ... "
The Boston Globe notes Colorado had no laws requiring child-proof packaging for medicinal
marijuana products during those years.
Edible marijuana products like cookies and candy, are not only especially enticing to
children ... they can also cause serious problems.
"Eight of the 14 patients had consumed medical marijuana ... seven of them had taken edibles
... including two who were sent to the intensive care unit." (via The Durango Herald)
The findings are especially important because medical marijuana products usually have higher
levels of THC — the active chemical in marijuana — putting young children at an extra high
risk.