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With the legalization of recreational marijuana, professionals say the drug is now more accessible to children.
Although legalized cannabis is safer for adults than buying it on the street, this isn't the case for small children. It puts them at high risk of ingestion and, in some cases, overdoses, according to Timothy Lee, medical director of Akron Children's Hospital main campus.
He said he already has seen an increase in children coming to the hospital for THC ingestion since medical marijuana was legalized in 2016, and he expects the problem to worsen now that it is legal for all adults.
"We frequently see children under 6 years of age come to us with intoxication," he said. "Our poison control has collected information on this and the amount of pediatric edible consumption has increased 13 times."
He said symptoms of marijuana ingestion in children include unusual behavior, sleepiness, lack of coordination, acting as if they are hallucinating, slurred words, breathing impairment, circulatory problems, low blood pressure, seizures and drug-induced comas.
Lee said he hasn't seen any child deaths from THC or marijuana, but some children have been put on ventilators. He said the main type of ingestion among young children is through edibles.
"The problem is they come in these cases that look like candy," Lee said. "An adult might know each piece is a dose, but a child might think it's candy so they're taking several doses."
Lee said long term effects can occur if they have a respiratory depression or are injured while intoxicated.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova said she has heard two recent cases, both a misdemeanor and a felony case, regarding edible ingestion among children.
She said in the felony case, a 2-year-old ingested THC-laced brownies.
"She (the 2-year-old) suffered a seizure," DeGenova said. "She had to be intubated. I believe the 2-year-old will have to use a feeding tube the rest of her life."
DeGenova said parents whose children ingest THC could face child endangering charges and involuntary manslaughter charges if the child dies. She said in these cases, a misdemeanor or a felony would depend on how badly the child is injured.
She said keeping THC or marijuana products locked in drawers, cases and child-resistant bottles are all effective ways to keep these products away from children. She also said keeping them in a high-up drawer or cabinet is an option.
MAHONING COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES
Mahoning County Children Services Executive Director Richard Tvaroch said it is too soon to know if there has been an uptick, but he said he is concerned there will be one as more dispensaries open.
"Legalization will likely increase availability, which in turn could raise the risk of unintentional ingestion by children. We recognize the need to be vigilant about this and educate families on the potential dangers. While these cases aren't extremely common, even one is too many. Each instance is treated with utmost seriousness to ensure the safety and well-being of the child involved."
He said once it has been determined a child or teenager has ingested THC, the agency's immediate priority is to ensure the child's safety and address any medical needs.
"We work closely with health care professionals to assess and manage any health impacts. Concurrently, we investigate the circumstances related to the ingestion, pursue legal intervention when the totality of the situation requires it, while always working to prevent future occurrences and providing resources for families on safe marijuana storage and usage," he said.
Like Lee, Tvaroch said the most common type of ingestion by children is with edibles such as gummies or candies because they can be mistaken for regular snacks by children and are more appealing to them because of their packaging and flavors.
"THC can adversely affect cognitive development and academic performance in children and teens. For younger children, ingestion can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and drowsiness. In teens, regular use can impair memory, concentration and overall mental health, potentially leading to longer-term developmental issues," Tvaroch said.
He said his agency welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with local schools and community organizations to raise awareness and provide resources for parents and caregivers.
TRUMBULL COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES
Trumbull County Children Services Executive Director Marilyn Pape said her agency has not seen an uptick in THC intoxication in children. She also said they don't keep statistics on THC ingestion among children and that it may be too soon to tell if there has been an uptick.
"We always tell parents that prescription drugs, they're legal, but they should be locked up," Pape said. "It's the same thing with marijuana. We want to make sure children don't have access to it."
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