With more and more people getting an MMJ card in Riverside to manage their medical condition, one thing is pretty clear- cannabis is working great as a medicine. However, with this rise in the number of marijuana users, the risks of its misuse as well as accidents are also increasing. This is especially true for people with kids. Kids are innocent. And they don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Due to this, there is a very high chance of them getting their hands on a cannabis product and consuming it unknowingly.
The danger is even more in the case of edibles. With other methods of cannabis consumption, kids may not get involved. But if they find a box full of tasty looking edibles, there is a very high chance of them eating it empty, which can be quite dangerous for them.
Considering the risk, we have made this brief guide on how to act if your kid has, mistakenly, eaten some marijuana edibles.
How to Recognize Marijuana Intoxication?
Here are some quick ways in order to identify the symptoms associated with acute intoxication in children:
- Rapid heart rate
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- Red eyes
- Fatigue and struggling to stay awake
- Loss of focus
Is Marijuana Dangerous For Kids?
The answer to this question can actually lean to both sides.
The good thing is that no one has actually died due to cannabis overuse until now. And thus, it’s not fatal. However, it can be dangerous in some other ways, especially for a child. Ingesting too much of cannabis with a high level of THC can have some serious short term effects. In some extreme cases, it may send the child into a comatose state too.
In the long-term, too, cannabis use can be quite concerning. It can be very damaging to the child’s brain. And in teenagers too, the use of marijuana may cause poor cognitive functioning.
Of course, a one-time accidental usage won’t cause any major or long term effects on your child’s brain. The extreme effects are seen only with prolonged usage. Having said that, even the short term massive usage may become a concern for parents.
So, if you find yourself in such a situation, let’s see what’s the right approach for you.
Find if They Have Actually Ingested THC
First of all, you need to examine the situation carefully. Are your edibles gone? If yes, then what actually has happened? Yes, there is a chance your child has consumed it. But there is also a possibility that they have just moved it somewhere else. Other than this, your pet may also be a culprit here, which is a whole different problem.
Secondly, was your product THC based or CBD based? Your child consuming too much CBD edibles is also a concern. However, the situation won’t be as bad as in the case of THC.
In the case of THC, you also need to keep in mind the time delay. So, if your child is not showing any symptoms, it doesn’t mean everything is fine. There is a chance that they have consumed it just now.
What to do if Your Child Eats Cannabis Edibles?
Here are the steps you need to follow once you are sure that they have ingested THC:
Step 1: Do Not Panic
I know it’s a lot easier said than done. But you still need to stay calm. Keep in mind that in the recorded history of cannabis, not a single person has died from a marijuana overdose. And you panicking will just be a reason for your child to distress. So, just keep your calm. Tuck your child in a blanket with one of their toys, and let them sleep for a while.
Another reason you shouldn’t panic is that it may blur your senses. And if that happens, you won’t be able to handle the situation in a sorted way. In short, by panicking, you are only making things worse.
Step 2: Figure Out The Details
In this step, you need to grab all your senses and figure out what actually happened. It would help if you keep a pen and paper with you. Make note of what exactly your child ate and also when, if possible. The details about the type and the quantity of your edible can also come in quite handy while talking to a medical professional later.
You should also look for the onset of any symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of marijuana intoxication may include nausea, lethargy, lack of balance, etc. There may also be some other symptoms that, as a parent, you are in a better position to notice. So, check if your child is acting strange, and make note of it.
You may think that why note when you can remember all these details. But in a stressful situation, you may miss out on a few details while talking to a medical professional. Therefore, it’s better to note everything down.
Step 3: Contact Poison Control
Once you have figured out all the details, it’s time to contact poison control. You may want to keep a pen and paper handy here too to write down anything the phone operator tells you. Listen to each and everything the person tells you carefully.
Considering the criticality of the situation, your kid may also need to be taken to the hospital. Or if you yourself are concerned about anything, in particular, you can just drive them to the ER directly.
Step 4: Drive Them to The Hospital
You think your child needs medical support immediately? Just stay calm, grab whatever you may need, and take them to the hospital. Take all the notes as well as any packaging or wrapper from the edibles. And make sure you drive safely. While taking your kid to the hospital, you don’t want to cause an accident and make things even worse.
Once you reach the hospital, your doctor may ask for some information, including the medical history of the child. Tell them whatever they want to know. Also, you need honestly tell them about what has actually happened. The symptoms of cannabis intoxication can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of some other problems. And thus, it better to clarify things to your doctor beforehand so that they can move on to the correct treatment right away.
Sadly, cannabis overdose doesn’t have any cure except the time. However, the doctors may be able to make the situation a lot bearable for your child until they get back to normal. Also, I just want to remind you that cannabis overdose isn’t fatal. So, once you have got them to the hospital, everything will be fine. You just need to wait for some time.
How to Prevent This From Happening Again?
Once your child has recovered, here are a few things you should do to keep them from consuming cannabis edibles again:
- Keep Your Products Locked: Make sure you keep your marijuana products away from children. Keep your edibles or other products in a child-locked place or at a height where your kid cannot reach.
- Use Legal Cannabis: If you keep edibles in your house, you need to make sure you are using it legally. In some states, using cannabis illegally may even lose you your child’s custody. But if you have an MMJ card, you can keep yourself safe from such a situation.
- Talk to Your Child: If your child has reached a certain age, you should have a genuine talk with them about marijuana. You have an MMJ card in Riverside? Tell them why. Explain to them why you are using these products and why they are not safe for them. Sometimes, kids are more intelligent than we think. And a little talk may do the magic.
In the end, you should be prepared for such a thing happening again. So, re-read this article and memorize everything by heart. This can save you a lot of googling time when something like this happens. Also, consider keeping all the important phone numbers in your phone’s contact list or at a place where they’re easily visible. Lastly, just keep in mind that these things may happen to anyone, and you are not a bad parent. So, just stay calm and handle the situation like a pro.