Like it or Not: Marijuana is Legal – Child Safety

Based on the title of today's blog, I know what you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with security screens?" Well, I have to be honest; it has absolutely nothing to do with security screens. However, since safety is my business and Boss Security Screens has dedicated itself to being the premier community partner in safety, we want to address all facets of safety.

It has been a number of years since the heavily debated topic of legalizing marijuana swept through our state. Once it was finally accepted as a legitimate business platform for medical marijuana recipients and adult recreational use, the availability and variety of products has grown just as the number of licensees and providers. Remember, it is still illegal under federal law. So regardless of your personal views of and position on marijuana use, it is here to stay. Just like prescription medications that people keep in their homes, some folks keep marijuana products as well. Since marijuana is not as harmless as some would lead you to believe, particularly in small children, we need to talk about the dangers.

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Edible marijuana products are hugely popular among consumers. They are marketed as gummies, baked goods, chocolates, hard candies, pills and even a variety of beverages. 

  • “Like the candy, chewy cannabis-infused gummies are available in a wide range of shapes, colors, and fruity flavors - even sour variations.

  • Marijuana brownies always leap to mind when people think of ingestible cannabis, although cannabis can also appear in cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods.

  • Cannabis-infused chocolate is another easy-to-consume and tasty way to enjoy the THC/CBD effect. 

  • Low- to medium-level in potency, cannabis hard candies, suckers, lollipops, and lozenges are considered dual-absorption products.

  • Cannabis "drinkables" and drink mixes like sodas, teas, coffees, and cocoas present another option. Tinctures, or liquid extracts, can also be added to beverages or dropped directly under the tongue for quick absorption” (Lynch & Cannabis, 2023).

While marijuana laws are strict in their restrictions for marketing products to minors, you can see how some marijuana products, particularly gummies, candies, and baked goods, would be appealing to children. However, since there is no way to distinguish between infused and non-infused products, it is up to discerning adults to ensure these items stay out of the reach of children. 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the scientific name for the primary psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana and marijuana-infused products. Despite marijuana and THC products being legalized across the U.S., these products still pose significant dangers to small children and adolescents. If you are a consumer of these products and children either live or frequently visit your home, you are responsible for preventing an accidental overdose. 

Marijuana companies use various processes to extract oils, waxes, resins, isolates, and others substances to obtain the THC from marijuana plants. The most common extraction methods include solvent and solventless-based processes. Production companies can also make concentrates that contain very high levels of THC, such as kief, hash, and rosin. These extracts and concentrates become the primary ingredients for your edible and non-edible product lines and are considerably more potent than smoking the leafy part of the harvested marijuana plant. The high concentrations of THC and the lack of lung damage from smoking marijuana have helped grow the popularity of edibles, reducing the stigma of marijuana consumption in the minds of consumers. However, for children there are many dangers.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports thousands of overdoses in children each year, most of which are in children under five years old. "Despite their appearance, just one pot cookie or candy bar can contain several times the recommended adult dose of THC. Anyone who eats an entire THC edible—especially a child—can experience overdose effects such as:

  • Intoxication, altered perception

  • Anxiety, panic, paranoia

  • Dizziness

  • Weakness, slurred speech, poor coordination

  • Excessive sleepiness

  • Apnea (not breathing for 10 seconds or longer)

  • Heart problems

  • Seizures

  • Coma




For teens, regular marijuana use can impair memory and concentration and may interfere with learning. It's also associated with lower odds of completing high school or getting a college degree. Regular use of marijuana is also linked to psychological problems, poorer lung health, and a higher chance of substance use disorder in adulthood. Even using marijuana one time can alter motor control, coordination, and judgment, contributing to unintentional deaths and injuries" (Osterhoudt, 2022).

The effects of marijuana consumption vary greatly based on the consumption method, the type of product, the amount and concentration of THC consumed, and physical characteristics such as age, size, and tolerances. Smoked marijuana generally has less TCH and the effects are felt rather quickly, in a few seconds to minutes. However, edibles and other high-concentration products may take hours before the full effect is experienced. As mentioned above, edibles have such high concentrations that a small child could easily consume many times the adult dosage by eating a whole baked good or drinking an entire beverage. 

As with any exposure, gather as much information about the product consumed. Try to determine the quantity, potency, and type of product ingested. Remember, with tinctures, a liquid form of THC that gets dropped under the tongue and absorbed through the skin, it can be very difficult to tell how much was consumed unless you are sure how much was in the bottle to start. It would be hard to determine if 10 drops were missing from a bottle.  Do not take chances and do not delay; call 911 or contact the Poison Control Hotline at (800) 222-1222 for immediate medical assistance.

As with any product we keep in our homes, whether it is cleaning chemicals, medications, or recreational marijuana products, we must take precautions to prevent an accidental consumption or overdose. Edibles carry an added danger in that they look like any other food we have had before and children would not likely know the difference even if told not to touch them. Please be mindful of your storage and the accessibility of such items in your home. A life may just depend on it. 

Until next time, be safe and remain vigilant!

Written by,




Michael Johnston

Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens




*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided. This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author. 




References

Lynch, S. content by A., & Cannabis, P. provided by C. (2023, January 10). 5 most popular types of cannabis edibles. Feast Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://www.feastmagazine.com/sponsored/article_cf675a23-8941-50f4-aca8-b156aa7c5b9d.html 

Osterhoudt, K. (2022, May 16). Edible marijuana dangers: How parents can prevent THC poisoning. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Edible-Marijuana-Dangers.aspx

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