Cannabis edibles, such as gummies, chocolates, candies, cookies, and brownies, have become increasingly popular since Illinois legalised cannabis products in 2020. While these sweet treats are enjoyed by many adults, they pose significant risks to curious and hungry toddlers who may mistake them for regular snacks.
Rising Incidents of Unintentional Exposures
Since the legalisation of cannabis products in Illinois, there has been a notable increase in unintentional exposures to cannabis edibles among children, particularly gummies. The combination of a child’s small size and weight and their ability to consume multiple doses in a single sitting makes them especially vulnerable to severe toxicity.
Severity of Toxicity in Children
Small children are at greater risk for severe toxicity due to their tendency to ingest multiple doses of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Ingesting several times the normal adult dose can lead to serious health complications.
Case Studies Highlighting the Dangers
- Case of a 6-year-old Child:
- A 6-year-old child was brought to the emergency department (ED) crying and cold to the touch after consuming several THC-infused cookies given by a caregiver. Each cookie contained multiple adult doses of THC. The child was admitted to the hospital for over a day and eventually recovered.
- Case of a 2-year-old Child:
- A 2-year-old child was found poorly responsive at home. Earlier, the child’s grandparents discovered that their baggie filled with eight medical cannabis gummies was missing. At the hospital, the child’s urine drug screen tested positive for THC. The child was admitted to the hospital, recovered completely after more than a day, and was discharged.
- Case of a 3-year-old Child:
- A 3-year-old child experienced new onset seizures at home and continued to have seizures in the ED. A urine toxicology screen showed the presence of THC. The child’s mother had stored multiple cannabis gummies in her purse, which were leftover from a wedding celebration. All the gummies were missing when she checked her handbag.
Legislative Measures and Packaging Requirements
Illinois law mandates that dispensaries sell edibles in clearly labelled, child-resistant packages that are not see-through and do not have pictures of candy or cookies on them. These regulations aim to make the packaging less attractive to children and prevent accidental ingestion. However, storing infused candies and baked goods in plastic baggies or other unlabeled containers increases the risk of children mistaking them for regular food.
Effect of THC on Children
Ten milligrams of THC is generally considered a common adult dose, but this is a significant amount for a small child. In the cases mentioned above, the children consumed several times the usual adult dose, leading to severe health issues. Since 2020, paediatric intoxication cases due to edibles reported to the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) have quadrupled. Two-year-old children are particularly prone to exposure compared to other age groups.
Preventive Measures for Parents and Caregivers
To protect children from accidental ingestion of cannabis products, the following safety measures should be taken:
- Storage: Keep cannabis-infused products high, out of reach, and out of sight of children.
- Packaging: Store edibles in clearly labelled, non-see-through, child-resistant packaging.
- Separation: Do not store infused products with other food items to avoid confusion.
- Communication: Inform caregivers, babysitters, and extended family about the presence of cannabis edibles in the house.
- Consumption: Avoid eating edibles in front of children to prevent curiosity and potential confusion.
By implementing these simple safety measures, parents and caregivers can significantly reduce the risk of accidental ingestion of cannabis edibles by children.
Source: IPCB
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