While recreational and medical marijuana use has been increasing in the United States, so has the number of children who have been taken to the ER after ingesting marijuana because they thought it was candy.
Here’s how to keep your weed safe. In this article, we’ll look at:
- These are some of the methods by that parents can keep their children from obtaining narcotics.
- Knowing when they’ve gotten into it is the key.
- What to do if it happens to you?
Adults Are Aware…
A “no-brainer” would be to keep youngsters away from medical marijuana and cannabis-infused items. However, the number of youngsters (and even dogs) who have mistakenly ingested medical marijuana is on the rise quickly.
Across the United States, a wave of cannabis policy reform is taking hold. Medical marijuana is now legal in more than two-thirds of American states. In addition, nearly a third of those states have authorized recreational marijuana usage for adults. Even in states where marijuana is still illegal, it is becoming increasingly simple to obtain the substance.
Unfortunately, as marijuana and other cannabis-infused products become more widely available, so does the number of children who mistakenly consume them.
How Bad Is the Problem?
According to a study published in the BMJ, cannabis was shown to be common in Colorado homes with children ages 1–14. From 2014 to 2017, a three-year study was carried out.
Just under one in ten parents (or caregivers) in the study’s sample admitted to possessing marijuana in their homes. It was shown that prevalence rose rapidly overtime during the research. Furthermore, it’s reasonable to imagine that many parents are reluctant to disclose that they have marijuana in their residence.
However, despite the fact that nearly nine out of ten adults who acknowledged owning cannabis claimed to keep it out of children’s reach, just seven out of ten claimed to put their narcotics in a locked cabinet or drawer.
This may be due to the fact that many educated adults are aware that cannabis, unlike alcohol, nicotine, and many prescription medicines, is non-toxic.
This isn’t just a concern for families with children. Most of the time, it is someone else’s children (or even dogs) who discover and eat what appears to be a tasty delicacy. While they might not appear like sweets or cookies, older children who are well-versed in the nuances of marijuana cannabinoids and concentrates may still be lured in.
Furthermore, administering any prescription drug or restricted substance to another person’s children may lead to criminal prosecution and/or expensive financial liabilities.
Also Read: Smart Cannabis Corp: Everything You Need to Know About The Smart Cannabis Corp!
What’s Being Done to Prevent the Problem?
A child-resistant package is not the same as a child-proof one. This is despite the fact that many states such as Florida and Illinois require dispensary menu products to be sold in child-resistant packaging. In addition, a large percentage of people who use cannabis do so without the items’ original packaging. In addition, products obtained illegally are rarely packaged to be child-resistant, but rather are frequently marketed in simply a baggie, vile, or jar.
Many states that have legalized cannabis do so by using a portion of the tax income to fund educational initiatives aimed at promoting responsible drug use among adults. However, it doesn’t appear that these programs have a wide impact.
Educating the public about the dangers of marijuana usage and how to avoid it is the most effective strategy to prevent youngsters from using it unintentionally.
Recommendations for Protecting Children from Marijuana
Let’s face it: We’re going to have to do this. Sneaky kids can get away with it. Few children can be relied upon not to sneak candies or cookies from their parents or guardians despite being instructed to do so.
If you’re concerned about your children’s exposure to any dangerous substance or chemical, here are some guidelines to follow.
- If at all possible, stay away from edibles laced with cannabis, such as sweets and baked products. As soon as youngsters encounter brightly colored candy-like products, such as chocolate, gummy candy, cookies, and brownies, they may be enticed to devour them right away. Use goods that seem more like medicine rather than candy or other treats if you’re going to use edibles.
- Keep the pressure on. (It’s not a pun.) Marijuana products should be kept out of the reach of children at all times. A medicine cabinet, coffee table, or countertop should be avoided if there are youngsters in the house since they could easily get the drugs.
- Keep it out of sight and out of harm’s way. You don’t need a vault to store your cannabis, but it is highly recommended that you put your medications in a locked box or cabinet because youngsters have a history of getting into places they shouldn’t. Also, check the security of any keys or combination locks. Traveling with cannabis items in lockboxes is also a smart idea.
- Now is not the time to be playing with it! All marijuana and cannabis-infused products should be stored in a secure location after usage. All the time. It’s especially important if the person intends to be intoxicated after using it!
- Make sure your guests are okay with this. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that anyone entering their home does not have marijuana or foods loaded with THC. Drugs can be accidentally spilled and picked up by children, or they can be rummaged through by them.
Also Read: Best Vaporizer for Cannabis: What Are the Benefits of Using the Vaporizer?
How to Tell, and What to Do if A Child Has Taken Your Marijuana
Many parents find it frightening and expensive to find their children intoxicated, despite the fact that such occurrences are extremely rare. If you suspect your child has unintentionally consumed marijuana products (or anything hazardous), you should be aware of the warning signals and what steps you should take to get them to help right away!
Detecting a young child who has smoked marijuana is usually not a problem. The reason for this is that even modest doses of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) can have large impacts on a small body that has not yet developed a tolerance. The non-intoxicating cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBC, can also have a negative impact on youngsters as well.
If you see any of these symptoms, your child may have accidentally consumed marijuana.
As soon as possible, contact a local or national Poison Help Center for assistance if a kid exhibits any of these signs. As soon as possible, the youngster should be evaluated by a doctor. If a youngster has been exposed to any marijuana, drugs, or poisonous substances, that information should be shared with the child’s doctor.
Signs That A Child Has Accidentally Consumed Cannabis:
- Impaired balance and motor skills
- Dizziness, faintness, shaking
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hysteria, frenzy, panic, or giddiness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Red eyes or dry mouth
- Unconsciousness
To get help for a kid who is suffering any of these symptoms, call a Poison Help Center, either locally or nationally. An immediate examination by a medical practitioner is also necessary. The child’s doctor needs to know about any marijuana products, medications, or potentially harmful drugs the child has had access to.
Also Read: How to Store Cannabis Seeds Long-Term? [Complete Guide]
Talk To Your Children About Marijuana And Other Drugs
An additional suggestion: Parents and caregivers should take the opportunity to talk to children about safe medication usage and to emphasize that while the medicine is intended to treat sick people, it can be detrimental or even poisonous to healthy individuals. Include information that medications aren’t only dissolved in liquids or swallowed as pills. Candy or baked foods can likewise be used as a form of them.
It is imperative that children are made aware that all sweets unless specifically stated, should be regarded as drugs.
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