A photograph of gummy bears (left) and marijuana.Photo:Getty
Getty
Four students at a California elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday after eating edibles, or food laced with THC. The students, who are all in third grade, attended North Broadway Elementary School in Escondido.
In a statement, perNBC San Diego, the Escondido School District said, “The widespread availability and commercialization of THC-infused ‘edibles’ is a growing concern for school communities statewide, including ours.”
School authorities across San Diego County say the cannabis edibles can be readily confused with ordinary snacks and candy. The district emphasized that edibles are prohibited at all school-related events and activities.
A photograph of North Broadway Elementary School in Escondido, California.Google Maps
Google Maps
Since the 2015 legalization of cannabis, Rady Children’s Hospital has seen a surge in children treated for ingestion, increasing from a few cases to hundreds annually. The hospital reports the average age of these patients is roughly 3.5 years, according to NBC San Diego. Overconsumption of cannabis in children can pose severe, potentially life-threatening effects.
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“You take your average dose of an edible cannabis which might be somewhere between 5 and 10 to 20 milligrams for an adult — that dose can make a child critically ill,“ Dr. Natalie Laub, a pediatrician at Rady Children’s Hospital, told NBC San Diego.
A photograph of gummy bears and marijuana.Getty
Dr. Laub’s concern stems from products resembling familiar snacks, like “Double Stuffed Stoneyos” and “Rice Krispyz”. Dr. Laub commented, “These products mimic candy, cookies, and other snacks. The rate at which kids are consuming them is rising, and I fear it’s going to become even more prevalent.”
The California Department of Health advises securely storing cannabis and its edible products out of children’s and pets' reach.
The remaining six were transported to the hospital in stable condition for further evaluation. They have since been released from the hospital, police said.
source: people.com
