“When we look at who’s coming in for accidental ingestions, it’s like three- and four-year-olds,” says Gary Kirkilas, Phoenix-based pediatrician. “They see something that’s very colorful and looks like candy, it goes in their mouth.”
The same goes, of course, for dogs. “We see so many THC toxicities on a weekly basis in all urgent emergency care and the vast majority of these cases are dogs with edibles,” he says. Erik OlstadAssistant Professor of Health Sciences in Clinical Medicine and Epidemiology at UC Davis Veterinary Medicine.
Between 2017 and 2019, the American Association of Poison Control Centers recorded 4,172 cases of cannabis exposure in children under nine and almost 46% of them came from cannabis edibles. With the billion-dollar-a-year edible industry growing, it’s likely that incidents of children ingesting the drug will also increase.
Although THC-related child or pet deaths are rare, it can happen when a a very high level of THC is ingested. A serving of an edible typically contains 5-10 mg of THC, but some products may contain 100 mg or more.
“The problem with small children is that they are really vulnerable to cannabis toxicity because they are so small. With their small size and the same amount that adults consume, they are particularly prone to overdoses. of cannabis,” says Kirkilas.
Effects of food on children
Symptoms of an overdose in children and adolescents may include the following, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- poisoning
- altered perception
- anxiety, panic or paranoia
- dizziness
- weakness
- slurred speech
- Poor co-ordination
- excessive sleepiness
- apnea (not breathing for 10 seconds or more)
- heart problems
In young children, a cannabis overdose usually presents as “a kind of central nervous system depression, so drowsy, lethargic-looking,” says Kirkilas. They may also have problems with muscle control and coordination. Teenagers may seem lethargic or “have a little more excitement, so palpitations, nervousness, high blood pressure, or racing heartbeat.”
In most cases, hospitals will simply monitor the children and the “symptoms will go away until the offending agent is gone,” says Kirkilas.
The effects of edible about dogs
The most visible signs of marijuana toxicity in dogs are urine dribbling or noise sensitivity, Olstad says. They may also have gastrointestinal side effects, such as vomiting, being lethargic, or having trouble coordinating their body, legs, and head.
Olstad says most cases of animal ingestion of edibles resolve with the help of time and a dark room where the dog can relax. But it’s best to let the vet decide: some animals need IV fluids or have induced vomiting.
Security measures
Keep all edibles out of sight and reach of children and pets. Once the kids are walking, consider storing food in a safe or locked cupboard. Never leave products sitting on a counter or table. (Dog owners: keep in mind your dog’s ability to sniff out tasty treats.)
Don’t buy products that are indistinguishable from normal food, says Kirkilas. He says gummies are particularly problematic because they’re made to look like candy.
Communication is key when you’re entertaining people or going to another house for a party. If you know your friends use edibles, ask them to keep the products locked up or in their car. What if they like experimenting with THC in traditional recipes? Make sure these dishes are clearly labeled and separated from everything else.
If your child eats an edible made from marijuana, call the poison control center right away. If symptoms seem severe, call 911 or go to the emergency room. If a dog ingests food, go straight to the vet.
Be honest about who you think or know they are.
“If you tell me it’s weed, we can make this visit much shorter. Either your dog has a devastating neurological condition, or it’s something that’s very, very fixable within 12 to 24 hours,” says Olstad.
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