As cannabis edibles become legal in an increasing number of
countries, medical experts are warning people about the possible health risks
that these may pose to consumers, as well as their family members.
The use of cannabis — for medical and, sometimes, recreational
purposes — is becoming legal in an increasing number of countries around the
world, with regions of the United States currently in the lead.
The most recent example, however, is that of Canada, where
authorities declared certain cannabis edibles — cannabis-infused foods — legal
as of October 2019.
In Canada, respondents to recent Deloitte surveys reported that they were eager to use
edibles not just for recreational purposes, but also for a range of medical
reasons, chiefly to help them cope with anxiety and
sleep disorders.
"It is [also] notable that current edible consumers say they
are more likely to buy premade cannabis edibles rather than make their own —
mainly because it's more convenient, according to 80% of current
consumers," states the Deloitte report based on the results of those
surveys.
However, edibles come with a range of health risks — both for
people who have never used cannabis before and for some of their family members
and cohabitants, particularly children and pets.
Jasleen Grewal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Loh, Ph.D. — from the
University of Toronto in Canada — have recently published a commentary in
the Canadian Medical Association Journal that draws
attention to these risks.
Overconsumption is a significant risk
"Although edibles are commonly viewed as a safer and more
desirable alternative to smoked or vaped cannabis, physicians and the public
should be aware of several risks related to the use of cannabis edibles,"
warn Grewal and Loh in their published paper.
One risk is that unlike, for instance, smoking cannabis, consuming
edibles can take much longer — up to 4 hours — to produce an effect.
This delay could lead some people, especially those who are new to
the drug, to increase their portion, resulting in overconsumption.
Moreover, the authors note, the effect of cannabis from edibles
can last for 8 hours or even longer, "which lengthens the duration of
impaired judgment and coordination experienced in comparison to inhaled
cannabis."
The two researchers also warn that even the standard,
state-approved dose of cannabis present in regulated edibles can cause
different effects in different individuals, as some may be more sensitive to
the drug than others.
Thus, some people may overdose even on edibles with lower
concentrations of cannabis, and those who have no previous experience of the
drug are particularly at risk, the specialists caution.
Another issue is that edibles often come in very appetizing forms,
such as candy or cookies, meaning that they may appeal immediately to children
and household pets. Should children and animals end up consuming cannabis
edibles, they could easily come to harm.
Other groups who may be vulnerable to the health risks associated
with consuming cannabis edibles are older individuals, the researchers report.
The two authors also cite data from the U.S. regarding the effect of the
legalization of edibles on those belonging to at-risk groups.
"After legalization of cannabis edibles in Colorado, the
state poison control center saw a 70% increase in calls for accidental cannabis
exposure in children from 2013 to 2017, and studies of healthcare usage
reported more children than adults being treated for ingestion incidents,"
they write.
No comments:
Post a Comment