Incredible edibles … Guilty as charged

March 28, 2018|Pediatric News

Marijuana overdoses can result in cognitive and motor impairment, extreme sedation, agitation, anxiety, cardiac stress, and vomiting. High quantities of THC have been reported to cause transient psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and anxiety.³

The arguments for or against the legalization of marijuana still can be hotly debated. More work still needs to be done to standardize formulation, improve labeling, and require childproof containers to reduce unintentional exposures, but legalization does offer more opportunity for regulation.² According to an AAP chart of state laws on marijuana, eight states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of marijuana, 22 have decriminalized marijuana use, and 30 have legalized medical marijuana use. (See aap.org/marijuana.)

As pediatricians, it is essential to educate teens and their families on the harmful effects of marijuana and dispel the myth that is benign. They need to be informed of the negative impact of marijuana, which leads to impairment of memory and executive function, on the developing brain. Parents also need to be aware of the current trends of use and formulations, so they can be aware of potential exposures.⁵

Dr. Pearce is a pediatrician in Frankfort, Ill. She said she had no relevant financial disclosures. Email her at pdnews@MDedge.com.

References

1. “American Academy of Pediatrics Reaffirms Opposition to Legalizing Marijuana for Recreational or Medical Use,” AAP press release on Jan. 26, 2015.

2. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:989-91.

3. Methods Rep RTI Press. 2016 Nov. doi: 10.3768/rtipress.2016.op.0035.1611.

4. JAMA. 2015;313(3):241-2.

5. Pediatrics. 2017 Mar;139(3):e20164069.