If you have cannabis edible in your house, there’s a chance your kid could eat them. With the rising popularity of cannabis also comes along a wave of questions, doubts, and uncertainties. These uncertainties point out at the loopholes in the existing legal structure and most questions concern the research aspects of the cannabinoids. What’s more interesting is that despite discrepancies cannabis sales continue to skyrocket. Plus, recreational and medical cannabis users constantly use state MMJ programs to get a medical marijuana card in New York and other cities and counties.
However, rising cases of kids being admitted for accidental cannabis consumption in hospitals requires immediate attention. After all, the legal and research battle will continue until the authorities come up with a concrete solution. For now, we will focus on the steps you can take if your child accidentally swallows an edible. Let’s begin.
Find Out What Did They Ingest?
First and foremost, you need to find out what did your child ingest? If you caught your child in the act, you are most likely to figure out everything easily. However, in other case scenarios, you have to politely ask your child to share information. Once you know the root cause of the problem, act accordingly. For instance, CBD edibles are non-psychoactive in nature, so worry about how much your child must have ingested. In contrast, THC edibles have strong intoxicating effects. So, you have to be sure about how many edibles were consumed and what was the THC ratio per serving. If you saw your kid eating a handful of THC gummies, the situation is not life-threatening, but you have to act immediately.
Try to Stay Composed
It will be hard for you to stay focused and calm during an uninvited situation. However, you have to keep in mind that nobody died after eating marijuana. So, panicking during a crucial time will not only make things worse for your child, but you won’t be able to pay attention to the vital details. You see, edibles show their effects after the process of digestion is complete. So you have to be patient for a few hours and closely notice any unusual changes in the behavior. The best thing you can do is tuck your child and provide them with a blanket and a comforting environment. They will help your child and you stay calm while you figure out what to do next. Also, if you see your child going off to sleep do not wake them up as long as they are sleeping soundly.
Work Out a Plan
This step basically caters to the requirements of parents who do not know about cannabis. If your child consumes cannabis edibles, take a pen and paper and note down everything. You have to jot down the symptoms, amount of edibles ingested, and the time period from the moment you saw your child to the appearance of symptoms. You also have to note down the type of edible ingested and THC content per serving. Details like these will help you a lot during the evaluation process.
In addition to this, do not forget to look for critical signs and symptoms. For instance, lethargy and lack of balance are quite common signs but nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention. In the former case, you as a parent have to ensure that your child drinks a lot of water and sleeps for a few hours. The latter requires you to take your child to the ER or a nearby hospital.
Talk to Health professionals
If you feel the situation is getting out of your hand. The first thing you can do is call poison control operators. Follow the instructions given by them carefully and don’t forget to write down everything the operator says. Depending on the situation, you as a parent have to decide whether or not to take your child to the ER, if you are concerned about something in particular. For example, your child has an underlying medical condition or your child is sensitive to cannabis. You have to keep all the nuances in mind before taking your child to the hospital. Once you enter the ER the medical health professionals will take care of the situation.
Also, before you take your child to the ER, carry the notes that you made. These notes will help the doctor evaluate your child’s medical condition properly. More vitally, don’t forget to drive carefully. Rushing to the hospital will complicate the situation and prevent you from reaching the destination. So, drive safely and once you meet the doctor tells him or her everything. You can also hand over the notes if you feel a little hesitant.
What To Do if My 3 Year Old Ate an Edible?
If your 3 year old ate an edible, your first action should be to get a hold of them, make sure that they are in their senses, and call the poison control. Here are some tips that you can follow if your 3 year old ate an edible-
- Talk to your toddler and get as much information as you can. For example, how much they consumed, what type of edible they ate and the amount of THC the edible contained.
- Call 911 for poison control immediately.
- Be around your kid and see how they are feeling.
- Do not panic and try to calm your toddler down too.
- If they are feeling nauseous, dizzy, or experience shortness of breath, take them to a hospital.
Children of different ages will experience different effects and at a different level so when it comes to a toddler, taking action and getting help as soon as possible to ensure safety is recommended.
What’s More
It’s natural to be hesitant and protective of your child. We are sure things like child protective services will come across your mind once you reach the hospital. However, you don’t have to worry about a possible CPS interrogation. It’s highly unlikely for medical health professionals to call child protective services for an accidental cannabis ingestion case, of course, unless you sell illegal cannabis. If child services are contacted, do not panic or create a scene because they will only ask a few questions. Answer all the questions honestly and you will be good to go.
How to Recognize Severe Intoxication?
In order to identify the symptoms associated with acute cannabis intoxication, you have to closely notice the behavioral activities. You can do the same by taking a look at the following symptoms:
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Red eyes
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Loss of focus and balance
These symptoms will largely appear in overdose situations. Ideally, a normal to mildly ranged dose will cause lethargy and relaxation. So, keep track of the dose ingested and ensure that you look out for all the symptoms while taking care of your child.
Is Cannabis Dangerous for Children?
If a child accidentally swallows an edible, I think you don’t have to worry about the long term effects. The short term effects will range from lethargy to nausea and all these symptoms go away as soon as the toxicity levels deteriorate. The things that you have to be worried about include situations that go out of our hands. And it’s unlikely to come across such situations. So, stay relaxed and do not panic. Also, remember that marijuana is said to have long term negative effects on individuals who smoke or vape cannabis regularly. They can suffer from cognitive dysfunctions.
Some studies suggest that early and regular use of cannabis can cause long-term effects on the brain. In fact, teenage cannabis use is often associated with cognitive function failure. This is why parents have to be extra careful while using cannabis edibles around children and teenagers.
You Are Not a Bad Parent
You might get a medical marijuana card in New York and purchase high-end edibles form state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. And you might accidentally keep them in plain sight. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. Yes, more and more kids are easily attracted to edibles such as candies and gummy bears, but if you are careful nothing will go wrong. Things happen sometimes and handling the situation is crucial than blaming yourself.