A Dangerous Trend in Arizona: Kids and Marijuana Poisoning

• Legalizing cannabis came with some dangerous unintended consequences.
• The best way to prevent accidental ingestion of marijuana by children.
• What do you do if your child accidentally consumes an edible item?

A lot of debate went into whether or not the state of Arizona should legalize recreational marijuana. Back in 2020, voters in our state passed Proposition 207: The Smart and Safe Act, which legalized the possession and use of recreational marijuana by adults.

The act freed up courts and allowed Arizonans over the age of 21 to purchase and consume cannabis legally. As expected, there have been unintended consequences.

READ: Arizona Veterinarians Warning of a Dangerous Trend with Dogs

Legalizing Cannabis: Arizona's Unintended Consequences

Before marijuana was legalized in Arizona, the incidence of accidental ingestion was much lower. These days, you can buy tempting, ready-made candies and treats laced with cannabis. For the average adult, popping a "gummy" or a marijuana brownie is a conscious choice.

READ: Is Reclassifying Marijuana as a Schedule III Drug Good for AZ?

It's very important to make sure those bright-colored temptations are securely locked away where little hands and paws can't reach them.

For example, Veterinarians in Arizona have been sounding the alarm over dogs accidentally getting into their owner's stash of edible marijuana.

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Accidental Marijuana Overdose in Arizona

Pets aren't the only ones in danger of accidental ingestion and even overdose. There's a rising concern with kids, lured by the bright-colored flavored candies, getting into an adult's edible marijuana. In general, kids don't know the difference between THC-laced "edibles" and regular candy, but the former can be extremely harmful to kids.

READ: Is it legal to grow your own pot in Arizona?

You probably know that edibles typically look just like regular snacks: gummy candies, chocolate bars, cookies, and even beverages can easily lure kids who don't know or understand that the adult version of these treats can be harmful.

Serious Health Risks of THC in Children

Even a small amount of these marijuana-laced substances could cause serious health issues for kids.

When a child consumes THC, they can experience a range of scary symptoms, including intense sleepiness, dizziness, slurred speech, and even trouble breathing.

In severe cases, it can lead to heart problems and apnea (not breathing for 10 seconds or longer). And the effects of edibles also last much longer than smoked marijuana; symptoms can persist for hours.

Another frightening issue is that kids' bodies are much more sensitive to THC. A mild dose for an adult can be overwhelming for a child. Since kids are much more likely to eat the whole edible - or worse, more than one - they can easily overdose.

Keep Arizona's Kids Safe from Accidentally Ingesting Marijuana

What's the best way to keep your kids safe? Always store edibles in a secure place out of reach and sight of children. If you've got other adults in the house or visitors who aren't used to having children nearby, be sure to have a frank conversation about securing their edibles so your children can't accidentally get into them.

Be sure to educate your kids about the dangers of these products and never consume marijuana edibles in front of them.

According to WebMD, if you think your child may have eaten an edible or anything else containing THC, call the poison control center hotline at 800-222-1222 immediately.

An edible can take 3 or 4 hours to reach full effect, so your kid needs immediate help, even if they’re not showing any symptoms.

Sources: Wikipedia: Cannabis in Arizona | UPMC | Healthy Children | WebMD | PEHSU