THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, impacts perception, behavior, and children’s growing brains. Delta 8 edibles can often look like regular gummies, which may confuse kids. The emergency departments have met multiple youngsters whose appearance indicated that THC edibles were to blame for their illness in recent weeks.
As we move closer to dispensaries opening, we will see more pediatric and accidental THC exposures through edibles. It is the start of a trend. Regulators, law enforcement agencies, and drug-prevention groups all point to two causes as the driving force behind this trend:
The legal and regulatory positions of marijuana and similar products are uneven and ambiguous. The packaging and marketing of “delta-8” THC products resemble and taste like typical snacks and sweets.
What Is Delta-8 THC and How Does It Work?
Delta-8 is a synthetic cannabinoid that replicates the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol found in THC. While delta-9 THC is still unlawful to sell under state law (and completely prohibited under federal law), delta-8 THC is less potent and legal. You can obtain it at gas stations and convenience shops, next to energy drinks, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. It is readily integrated into everyday meals and packaged to seem like known items, particularly worrying for children’s health and well-being.
Legal Situation
As previously stated, marijuana regulations vary significantly throughout the nation, and recent modifications in marijuana laws are a complicated patchwork emerging slowly. This factor makes it challenging to determine which substances and products are lawful and if and how they are controlled (maybe more crucially for health and safety).
Two distinct points may help parents and caregivers cut through the complexity and provide straightforward guidance:
- Marijuana remains illegal in all forms and quantities at the federal level, including producing, having, using, and selling it.
- THC’s short- and long-term impacts on the developing brains of children
These impacts are twofold. There are immediate impacts and potential delayed or chronic consequences (as demonstrated with sustained and higher usage).
Children and THC
Hundreds of complaints to the National Poison Data System are because of goods containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol that were not adequately labeled (CBD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consumers should keep the goods out of the reach of children and pets.
The National Poison Data System received 660 complaints of adverse effects in patients exposed to delta-8 THC products in the first seven months of 2021. Unintentional exposure was present in 41% of cases, with 77 percent of the accidental exposures occurring in children under 18. Children exposed to delta-8 THC-containing goods were in critical care units.
According to federal health experts, gummies, chocolates, drinks, vapes, and other items containing cannabis chemicals cause an increase in adverse occurrences in youngsters.
According to some, the initial impacts, or acute presentation, might cause:
- Vomiting and nausea
Delusions, anxiety, and even psychotic behavior are signs of a significant change in mental condition.
Some doctors claim that similar effects may also appear in teens and adults. Either someone unintentionally overdoses on an edible dose—or someone takes some, does not get high, carries more, and finally overdoses. This factor does not account for the potential for trauma and risk-taking behavior when under the influence. Risk-taking behavior is a natural aspect of adolescence.
The hazards of long-term or severe usage are equally high for both providers. Teenagers have weaker inhibitions, and it is a developmental period when the brain matures and forms synapses, which psychotropic medicines may disrupt. The old notion was that alcohol ‘killed’ synapses, but you are altering how they work as they change, grow, and mature. Self-medicating with any drug may hide and aggravate other health conditions and the well-documented impacts of lethargy and lack of drive among marijuana users.
Kids that use it have a greater prevalence of various mental health disorders. And if you, unfortunately, get into the habit of using it, it is commonly used to self-medicate, which may lead to other drugs. With continued and chronic long-term usage, you may notice a reduction in executive function, recall memory, and IQ. Cyclical vomiting and episodes of severe vomiting associated with regular marijuana are somewhat common.
The average patient is a strong THC user in their early to mid-20s with at least a year of experience. There is conjecture as to why this happens. However, it is only guesswork since no definite mechanism exists yet. We will witness a lot more of this in the future years. The good news is that most writers believe that quitting marijuana usage will essentially address these alterations.
While the health consequences of naturally occurring THC are still under research, the health implications of synthesized delta-8 THC are yet unknown. Delta-8 THC is psychotropic and may have similar impairment risks as delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC goods might look like non-intoxicating hemp or CBD products. As a result, users of these drugs may suffer unanticipated or exacerbated THC intoxication.
The FDA says uneven production procedures and possibly polluted, unclean manufacturing settings exacerbate delta-8’s psychotropic effects. Manufacturers are packaging and labeling these items in ways that may appeal to youngsters, according to the FDA (gummies, chocolates, cookies, candies, etc.). Essentially, although the packaging seems to be identical, there is no regulatory control to assure the safety or uniformity of the contents.
Poison control centers issue notifications and warnings about juvenile children exposed to delta-8 THC-containing products. Furthermore, animal poison control centers report a significant rise in the number of pets accidentally exposed to these items.
What Role Can Parents Play?
Despite clickbait headlines to the contrary, this Halloween, trick-or-treaters are unlikely to be handed the far more costly contaminated “snacks” than the originals.
Like every generation before them, adolescents and teenagers are exposed to and have access to many influences and drugs that their parents and caregivers do not know.
So, how can you keep your kids safe?
Talk to them about the dangers and how to identify products.
- Please pay attention to what they have to say regarding the difficulties and temptations they confront.
- Examine what you discover in their bags and bedrooms.
- If you use Delta 8 THC edibles, keep your items safe, just as you would your firearms and medicines out of reach.
Conclusion
Delta 8 edibles are not safe for kids. Keep informed of the newest developments in the cannabis industry. Candy and gum companies are suing to prevent their trademarks from being used on CBD and THC products, and the courts are siding with them. However, a more straightforward answer regarding children’s health may be to avoid sugar-laden, highly processed edibles and sweets entirely.
