{"id":2730,"date":"2021-02-01T13:34:20","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T02:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/toxic-munchies-all-around\/"},"modified":"2021-02-01T13:34:20","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T02:34:20","slug":"toxic-munchies-all-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/toxic-munchies-all-around\/","title":{"rendered":"Toxic Munchies All Around"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>DRUG ALERT: MARIJUANA EDIBLES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>WHAT IS IT?<\/p>\n<p>Edibles are food products infused with marijuana. Though smoking marijuana is the most prevalent method of consumption, eating marijuana is quickly becoming a popular way to consume the drug.&nbsp;<strong>(Related:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov\/content\/what-you-should-know-about-marijuana-concentrates-honey-butane-oil\"><strong>What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates\/ Honey Butane Oil<\/strong><\/a><strong>)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brownies are among the most common food products infused with marijuana, however, almost any food product may be infused with marijuana and eaten.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to placing marijuana directly in food, marijuana-infused cooking oil can be used when frying or searing food, and marijuana-infused butter can be spread directly on prepared food.<\/p>\n<p>These marijuana edibles are more common in states that have legalized marijuana and also states that permit medical marijuana use.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Shop window with cannabis products. Photo by nickolette)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>IS EATING MARIJUANA MORE DANGEROUS THAN SMOKING MARIJUANA?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>YES! There is high potential for overdose from marijuana edibles.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The effects from smoking marijuana only takes minutes. Edibles, however, take between 1-3 hours because food is&nbsp;absorbed into the bloodstream through the liver. Because it takes longer, the user may end up consuming longer amounts of the drug while thinking the drug isn&#8217;t working.<\/li>\n<li>The amount of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is very difficult to measure and is often unknown in these food products. &nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>If the user has other medications in his or her system, their body may metabolize different amounts of THC, causing THC levels in the bloodstream to dangerously&nbsp;increase five-fold.<\/li>\n<li>Overdose symptoms from eating marijuana are often more severe than symptoms of an overdose from smoking marijuana.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA EDIBLES?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Psychotic episodes<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Hallucinations<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Paranoia<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Panic attacks<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Impaired motor ability<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ARE MARIJUANA EDIBLES FREQUENTLY USED?<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, vaping and edible use has increased among U.S. students while marijuana smoking has decreased,&nbsp;according to data from the Monitoring the Future study.<\/p>\n<p>(Source: NIDA, 2018 Monitoring the Future Study)<\/p>\n<p><em>Related articles<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/cannabis-edibles-health-risks\">&#8220;Cannabis Edibles Aren\u2019t as Safe as People Think&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;<em>Healthline<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/marijuana\/faqs\/edibles.html\">&#8220;How is eating and drinking foods that contain marijuana (edibles) different from smoking marijuana?&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;<em>CDC<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/marijuana-related-er-visits-rising-dramatically-edibles-spraking-particular-concerns\/\">&#8220;Marijuana-related ER visits rising dramatically, edibles sparking particular concerns&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;<em>UCHealth<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/alicegwalton\/2014\/06\/04\/is-eating-marijuana-really-riskier-than-smoking-it\/\">Is Eating Marijuana Really Riskier Than Smoking It?<\/a>\u201d&nbsp;<em>Forbes<\/em><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Cannabis Edibles Aren\u2019t as Safe as People Think<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Share on PinterestOverconsumption of cannabis can happen more easily when it\u2019s used in edible form and it can have adverse effects on a person\u2019s health, especially in youths and older adults. Getty Images<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Both young and older adults are at greater risk of overconsumption and accidental ingestion of cannabis edibles.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Unlike inhaled cannabis, ingested cannabis must be digested first before being absorbed.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>This delay can lead inexperienced users to inadvertently overconsume because they might not feel the intended effects immediately.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Despite their appearance, cannabis edibles \u2014 sweet treats like gummies and chocolate bars infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of marijuana \u2014 can be risky for some users.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They may look just like candy, but these potent products definitely aren\u2019t for kids. And that\u2019s part of the problem.<\/p>\n<p>In a new article appearing in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmaj.ca\/content\/192\/1\/E1\">Canadian Medical Association Journal<\/a>, researchers outlined the most prominent risks associated with cannabis edibles for different users and found that young people are among the most at-risk when it comes to overconsumption and accidental ingestion.<\/p>\n<p>The other most at risk: older adults.<\/p>\n<p>And for those two groups, there are some serious potential adverse health problems that can sometimes result in a trip to the emergency room or just a really, really bad day.<\/p>\n<p>In places where marijuana is legal recreationally and there\u2019s data available, cannabis edibles still remain just a small part of the overall industry. However, in some cases,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/why-edible-marijuana-products-are-sending-more-users-to-the-er\">as in Colorado<\/a>, they\u2019ve put a disproportionate number of people in the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>There are specific reasons for that, some of which are owed to the difference in how the body processes cannabis based on how it\u2019s consumed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How cannabis edibles affect you differently<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s well established that cannabis edibles take significantly longer than inhaled marijuana to enter the bloodstream.<\/p>\n<p>Smoking results in a near instantaneous onset, whereas consuming cannabis commonly takes between 30 to 60 minutes. But that can vary depending on many different factors including the user\u2019s metabolism and the contents of the edible itself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOverconsumption is a significant concern because of the delayed time to onset of its intended effects. Unlike inhaled cannabis, ingested cannabis must be digested first before being absorbed, and once it has been ingested, it\u2019s on board, which means people might not feel effects immediately and hence inadvertently overconsume,\u201d said Dr. Lawrence Loh, MPH, an author of the research and faculty member at the University of Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>Other&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in\">significant factors<\/a>&nbsp;in determining how quickly an edible could kick in include: sex, weight, diet, and tolerance to cannabis.<\/p>\n<p>The effects of marijuana edibles also last a lot longer than smoking, with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5010515\/\">peak THC blood levelsTrusted Source<\/a>&nbsp;occurring around 3 hours after consumption.<\/p>\n<p>The latency of the high from edibles can frequently result in an all-too-common scenario for some users: eating the edible, not feeling the effects immediately, and then consuming more.<\/p>\n<p>By the time the effects are felt, the user could be in over their head.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Health risks of cannabis overconsumption<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s the potential for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/eating-weed\">cannabis-induced psychosis<\/a>, which results in paranoia, confusion, and hallucinations.<\/p>\n<p>Particularly in older adults, cannabis can also result in cardiac events.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/onlinecjc.ca\/retrieve\/pii\/S0828282X18313242\">Canadian Journal of Cardiology<\/a>&nbsp;published a case report on a 70-year-old man who had a heart attack after ingesting a cannabis lollipop.<\/p>\n<p>Cannabis is known to affect the cardiovascular system and can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/marijuana\/nas\/heart.html\">Previous researchTrusted Source<\/a>&nbsp;has shown a higher risk of heart attack following the use of cannabis.<\/p>\n<p>But overconsumption also presents specific risks for different age groups, as outlined in the new Canadian report.<\/p>\n<p>For youths, the risks outlined include panic attacks, psychosis, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/vomiting-illness-linked-marijuana-use\">hyperemesis syndrome<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 a serious condition that results in uncontrollable vomiting.<\/p>\n<p>There are also potential long-term effects from cannabis consumption beginning at a young age, including \u201cimpaired brain development and poor mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Older adults, the other at-risk group outlined in the report, may experience increased cognitive impairment, risk of falls, heart arrhythmia, and various drug interactions.<\/p>\n<p>According to Loh, these two groups are at higher risk because, \u201c[They] have different metabolic rates and pharmacokinetics than other groups and hence respond differently\u2026 For seniors, many may have other conditions that might place them at risk of overconsumption and other indirectly related health issues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rais Vohra, the Medical Director for California Poison Control System Fresno Madera District, told Healthline that his experience in dealing with emergencies associated with cannabis edibles are consistent with findings in the report.<\/p>\n<p>He emphasized how important it is to keep these products out of the hands of children in order to avoid accidental exposure.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we really try to repeat over and over again is that kids and cannabis don\u2019t mix. We really should be treating these edibles like we do alcoholic beverages and prescription medications and really trying to keep them out of the hands of toddlers and children who can accidentally ingest them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>And prevention is the best measure because when it comes to treating cannabis overconsumption, there are few options besides just riding it out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the best way to treat marijuana toxicity?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s really no antidote to marijuana toxicity. So, whenever somebody is having these effects of marijuana intoxication you really have to just give them supportive care and let time do its thing,\u201d said Vohra.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs their body metabolizes the cannabis they will become normal again. It may take a day or two and in the meantime they may require intensive supportive care,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Vohra said that when it comes to marijuana overconsumption he commonly recommends \u201chome observation,\u201d meaning a trip to the ER probably isn\u2019t necessary.<\/p>\n<p>However, for some extreme cases \u2014 particularly in young children and infants \u2014 a visit to the hospital is a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>Good regulation of cannabis edibles is the first step in making sure no one ever ends up in the ER because of them.<\/p>\n<p>In Canada, these regulations demand that edibles are stored in plain, child-resistant packaging and require a standardized health warning sign on them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCommon sense and best business practices dictate that in a legally regulated adult-use market, cannabis-infused edible products ought to be readily distinguishable from non-infused products by their packaging. Moreover, such products ought to be properly and accurately labeled for potency and cannabinoid content and served in childproof packaging,\u201d said&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/oaksterdamuniversity.com\/paul-armentano\/\">Paul Armentano<\/a>, the Deputy Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).<\/p>\n<p>Armentano was not affiliated with the report.<\/p>\n<p>The report also calls for more widespread community-based education around edible cannabis and encourages physicians to more openly discuss marijuana usage with their patients.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that any step that we add to ensure safety, they all synergize. At the community level people just need education and reminders in many different forms that these products can be hazardous,\u201d said Vohra.<\/p>\n<p>FEEDBACK:&nbsp;<strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Written by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/authors\/gigen-mammoser\">Gigen Mammoser<\/a>&nbsp;on January 13, 2020&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Fact checked&nbsp;by&nbsp;Jennifer&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DRUG ALERT: MARIJUANA EDIBLES WHAT IS IT? Edibles are food products infused with marijuana. Though smoking marijuana is the most prevalent method of consumption, eating marijuana is quickly becoming a popular way to consume the drug.&nbsp;(Related:&nbsp;What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates\/ Honey Butane Oil) Brownies are among the most common food products infused with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-next-phase-platform"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2730\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}