The Shadow
Your little ghouls and goblins are dreaming of the piles of candy that await them after a night of trick-or-treating or a Halloween party. Parents and caretakers: beware of other substances which resemble candy, including cannabis edibles. Young children cannot tell the difference, and as these products become more available, calls to poison centers nationwide about children getting into edibles have been climbing.
Edibles are foods or beverages infused with chemical compounds– including THC, delta-8, or CBD– found in cannabis (also known as marijuana). Many edibles are packaged to look just like familiar treats: gummy candy, lollipops, cookies, chocolate, chips, etc. Since edibles are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the exact ingredients in edible products are often unknown, and what’s listed on the label may not be what’s actually in the package. When tested in a lab, many products have been found to contain contaminants such as mold, pesticides, or even other drugs such as fentanyl.
It is unlikely that a child will return from trick-or-treating with THC-laced edibles, or any other dangers, in their basket. Despite public concern, intentional candy tampering is rare. No actual cases of poisoned Halloween candy have ever been reported in our region. However, if THC laced edibles are present in the home, someone could grab the wrong product by mistake to give to children. And if children discover THC-laced edibles on their own, they may eat them.
Dr. Christopher Holstege, Director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center and emergency department physician at University of Virginia Health, is concerned about the spike in the number of children who are becoming ill from cannabis edibles. The website of America’s Poison Centers states that in 2021, there were 4,354 calls to U.S. poison centers about children who ingested cannabis edibles. This is up sharply from 2018, when there were 816 calls.
When children eat cannabis edibles, serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur. Adults can experience problems as well. Dr. Holstege wants you to be prepared with the toll-free number to the Poison Center, just in case. Program 1-800-222-1222 into your phone so that you can access it quickly in an emergency. The effects from edibles may be delayed by a few hours, so if you suspect a child ate cannabis edibles, call The Blue Ridge Poison Center right away; even if there are no symptoms. Calls are free and confidential.
The Blue Ridge Poison Center offers these tips for keeping children safe:
∙ If edibles are in your home, keep them locked and stored up and away– out of the sight and reach of children.
∙ Never call medicine “candy” to make it more attractive to a child.
∙ Limit trick-or-treating to homes of people you know and trust. Inspect candy before letting your children eat any of it; toss out anything unwrapped or suspicious.
