Overuse of cannabis can occur more easily when used in edible form and have adverse effects on a person’s health, especially in young and old. Getty Images

• Young and older adults are at greater risk of overuse and accidental ingestion of edibles made with cannabis.
• Unlike inhaled cannabis, ingested cannabis must first be digested before it is absorbed.
• This delay can lead inexperienced users to inadvertently overuse, as they may not immediately feel the desired effects.

Despite their appearance, edibles made from cannabis – sugary treats like gummy candies and chocolate bars infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component in marijuana – can be risky for some users. for kids. And that’s part of the problem. In a new article in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association, researchers highlighted the most significant risks associated with cannabis edibles for different users and found that young people are among the most vulnerable. risk of overconsumption and consumption. accidental ingestion. The other most at risk: the elderly. And for these two groups, there are serious potential health issues that can sometimes lead to a trip to the emergency room or just a very, very bad day.In places where marijuana is legal for recreational use and data is available, cannabis edibles just stay a small part of the overall industry. However, in some cases, such as Colorado, they have put a disproportionate number of people in the hospital, for specific reasons, some of which are due to the difference in how the body processes cannabis depending on how it is consumed. It is well established that edibles made with cannabis take much longer than inhaled marijuana to enter the bloodstream. Smoking causes an almost instantaneous onset, while cannabis use usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. But it can vary depending on many different factors, including the metabolism of the user and the contents of the edible itself. “Overconsumption is a major concern because of the delay in onset of the expected effects. Unlike inhaled cannabis, ingested cannabis must be digested before it is absorbed, and once it has been ingested it is on board, meaning people might not feel the effects immediately and therefore inadvertently overuse. Said Dr. Lawrence Loh, MPH, author of the researcher and faculty member at the University of Toronto. Other important factors in determining how quickly an edible might come into play include: gender, weight, diet and cannabis tolerance.The effects of marijuana edibles also last much longer than smoking, with peak blood levels of THC occurring approximately 3 hours after consumption. The latency of the high from edibles can often lead to an all too common scenario for some users: eating the edible, not feeling the effects immediately, then consuming more. By the time the effects are felt, the user might be in There a potential for cannabis-induced psychosis, which leads to paranoia, confusion and hallucinations. Especially in older people, cannabis can also lead to cardiac events. Last year, including “impaired brain development and poor mental health”. The elderly, the other risk group described in the report, may have increased cognitive impairment, risk for falls, cardiac arrhythmias, and various drug interactions. According to Loh, these two groups are at higher risk because “[They] have different metabolic rates and pharmacokinetics than other groups and therefore react differently… For the elderly, many may have other conditions that could put them at risk. a risk of overconsumption and other indirectly related health problems. Rais Vohra, medical director of the California Poison Control System Fresno Madera District, told Healthline that his experience in dealing with emergencies associated with edible cannabis products was consistent with the report’s findings, and stressed the importance of keeping these products out of the hands of children to prevent accidental exposure. really trying to repeat over and over again is that kids and cannabis don’t mix. We should really treat these edibles like we do alcoholic drinks and prescription drugs and try to keep them out of the hands of toddlers and children who may accidentally ingest them, ”he said. And prevention is the best measure, because when it comes to dealing with overuse of cannabis, there are few options besides getting around it. “There really is no antidote to the toxicity of marijuana. So whenever someone has these effects of marijuana poisoning, you really have to give them supportive care and allow time to do their job, “Vohra said.” As their bodies metabolize cannabis, they will return to normal. It may take a day or two and in the meantime they may need intensive supportive care, ”he added. Vohra said that when it comes to overuse of marijuana, he generally recommends “home watching,” which means a trip to the emergency room is probably not necessary. However, in some extreme cases – especially in young children and infants – a hospital visit is a good idea. Proper regulation of cannabis edibles is the first step in ensuring that no one ever ends up in the emergency room because of them. In Canada, these regulations require edible products to be stored in plain child-resistant packaging and require a standardized health warning sign. “Common sense and best business practice dictate that in a legally regulated adult market, edibles infused with cannabis should be easily distinguished from non-infused products by their packaging. In addition, these products must be correctly and precisely labeled for their potency and cannabinoid content and be served in child-resistant packaging, ”said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Armentano was not affiliated with the The report also calls for more widespread community education on edible cannabis and encourages doctors to discuss more openly about the use of marijuana with their patients. “I think any measures we add to ensure safety, they’re all synergistic. At the community level, people just need to be informed and reminded in many different forms that these products can be dangerous, ”Vohra said. Armentano was not affiliated with the report also calls for more widespread community education on edible cannabis and encourages doctors to discuss marijuana use more openly with their patients. “I think any measures we add to ensure safety, they’re all synergistic. At the community level, people just need to be informed and reminded in many different forms that these products can be dangerous, ”Vohra said. Armentano was not affiliated with the report also calls for more widespread community education on edible cannabis and encourages doctors to discuss marijuana use more openly with their patients. “I think any measures we add to ensure safety, they’re all synergistic. At the community level, people just need to be informed and reminded in many different forms that these products can be dangerous, ”Vohra said.