Recent news reports out of Nova Scotia of the accidental ingestion of cannabis edibles by youth at school are concerning, but an important reminder of the need to ensure safe handling and storage of such products.
In January 2020, as mass-market cannabis edibles became legal in Canada, my colleague Dr. Jasleen Grewal and I published a Canadian Medical Association Journal review which highlighted accidental ingestion as a particular risk of legalization that would need to be mitigated.
Edibles notably differ from combustible cannabis or alcohol, where unfamiliarity and taste might deter younger children from consuming to levels of significance. Once swallowed, the full dose of an edible is on board—whether the individual is cannabis naïve, an adult, child, or even a pet.
Numerous studies and case reports have shown accidental edible ingestion by children has increased since legalization, sometimes with serious health effects.
Evidence on health benefits arising from changing cannabis’ legal status were clear, through removing stigma, eliminating the impacts of criminal records on one’s determinants of health, and widening access to supportive services and treatment for those who might seek them.
However, we mustn’t forget that a balanced approach, rather than a free for all, was identified as a preferred approach. Like other legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco, promoting responsible consumption is vital to ensuring the effectiveness of policies intended to address the residual risks that exist, through enforcement, engineering, engagement, and education.
As a public health physician, I’ve seen effective practices employed (plain packaging, enforcement test shopping in-person and online, awareness raising) that might foster compliance with regulations intended to address accidental ingestion and other risks associated with edibles. Continued surveillance and monitoring of data around incidents is also vital to identifying trends and areas for attention, as well as progress on prevention, over time.
As a parent of young children, though, I know we all have a part in remaining vigilant. Safer handling recommendations for edibles include purchasing edibles through legal sources, storing them out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet—like medicines—and also avoiding mixing of edibles with regular food, drinks, or snacks (Read federal advice here).
Collective action and awareness raising is crucial to ensuring that determinant-level health benefits of legalization are retained while protecting children and youth from accidental ingestion, starting with keeping such products out of risk settings, like schools.
This post originally appeared on Lawrence's LinkedIn profile.
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