Concerns Rise Over Children’s Access to Cannabis Gummies

Cannabis gummies have gained popularity in recent years, with many people using them for pain relief, anxiety, and other issues. Yet, there’s growing unease about the accessibility of these products, particularly for children.

The American Poison Center reported a shocking increase in cannabis poisoning incidents among kids: from 930 cases in 2009, the number soared to over 22,000 by 2024.

Psychiatrists Weigh In

Melissa Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker and senior clinical director at Winning, pointed out she wasn’t surprised by the uptick in children consuming gummy cannabis, especially in cities like Los Angeles. “Companies are promoting gummy cannabis like candy aimed at kids,” she stated.

Dr. Daria Long, an emergency physician in Atlanta, mentioned that she has seen multiple children requiring medical attention for this very issue. “Gummies are especially risky because kids can eat a whole bag easily,” she cautioned, noting that a child could ingest around 10 adult servings.

Long recounted a case where a parent unknowingly gave a child a cannabis gummy, unaware it contained THC. Some parents, she noted, might think, “It’s natural and not dangerous,” or “It’s just a little pot, so what’s the harm?”

Symptoms and Treatment

Children consuming cannabis gummies may show signs of lethargy or difficulty breathing, and some might even experience seizures. In extreme cases, a child’s heart rate can slow down, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. Treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms.

“You may need to intubate your child and provide respiratory support. Sometimes their heart rate is too low and requires electrical pacing,” Long explained. In severe cases, medications like epinephrine might be necessary to avert cardiac arrest.

Experts indicate that cannabis gummy addiction can cause severe consequences, including coma, death, or long-term cognitive issues such as memory problems. “Hypoxic brain damage could also occur if the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen,” Long warned.

Dr. Margret Chang, a pediatrician in Massachusetts, stated it’s “highly unlikely” for serious effects to arise from a single gummy exposure, assuming proper medical care is available. However, she stressed that illegal gummies, potentially laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl, could pose fatal risks.

Raising Awareness

Parents should look out for signs such as sedation, confusion, and difficulty breathing. “If you suspect your child has taken THC, get them to the nearest hospital or call for emergency help,” Johnson advised.

To prevent such incidents, it’s best for parents to avoid keeping THC products at home. “These should be treated like dangerous medications,” Long suggested. It’s vital to use child-proof containers and keep them inaccessible.

Experts also advised only using cannabis products sourced from licensed pharmacies to reduce risks associated with contaminated supplies.

Industry Reaction

Liana Dullette from the Cannabis Policy Institute expressed concern about the increasing number of children seeking medical help due to gummy consumption. She emphasized the need for better tracking of product sources to effectively tackle the issue.

Durrett commented that attributing cases of child addiction merely to cannabis legalization seems overly simplistic. “Understanding how children accessed these products is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions,” she concluded.