Health issues related to THC-infused snacks and candy are a problem that is become worse in recent years with cases affecting children spreading across our nation. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics of National Poison Data found a 1,375% increase in children under age 6 ingesting edible cannabis from 2017 to 2021, with 207 reported cases in 2017 and 3,064 cases in 2021.
Law enforcement reports seizing THC products that mimic bags of popular snacks like Doritos, Fritos, Chips Ahoy, and kids' sweet cereals like Fruity Pebbles, Reese's Puffs, and more. If parents or older siblings bring these types of THC-infused snacks into the home and a child sees them lying around, they are very likely to eat them and become sick. Kids may not be aware that these particular edibles are different than the usual snacks they have access to in their home because the packaging looks so similar.
Keeping THC snacks in a home with children present poses a severe risk of accidental poisoning. Adult size doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are highly concentrated and consumption by a child can lead to severe clinical complication. ER doctors often face challenges with diagnosis when children are brought into the hospital in various altered mental states after eating THC products - especially when the parents are not aware that their child may have ingested a toxic food product.
With unintentional THC consumption becoming more common, some doctors want to change the process in which children are examined in the hope of identifying THC as the cause for an altered state sooner. Many doctors have begun advocating for urine toxicology tests to be done immediately since recovery time depends on how much THC is actually consumed.
The best way to keep kids safe is not to bring edibles into the home in the first place. However, if these THC products are present in the home, take the necessary steps to keep them out of the reach of children. Better safe than sorry!
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