Should You Worry About Marijuana Edibles In Your Kid's Halloween Treats?

[Wild Bill]

Should you worry about marijuana edibles in your kid's Halloween treats?

 

Law enforcement is warning parents about the dangers of cannabis-infused sweets. But it might just be a lot of huffing and puffing

 

Jody Emory in British Columbia

Thursday 30 October 2014 06.45 EDT

 

With the return of fun-size candy to store shelves, we can reliably count on a new Halloween-related scare campaign to make the rounds – razor blades in apples, needles in chocolate bars and poison-dosed goodies. This year, it’s kids confusing their trick-or-treat goodies with their parents’ pot-infused candy.

 

The Colorado police sparked this one off after warning the public about little ones getting into the pot-infused edibles that have proliferated since marijuana was legalised in the state.

 

Be wary, they say, of dangerous cannabis edibles – including cookies, brownies, cakes, chocolates, lollipops, and other candies.

But is the Halloween hysteria about THC treats justified?

 

The concerns about kids accidentally consuming pot are seriously exaggerated based on the number of incidents reported. One highly publicised study found that 14 children went to the emergency room after exposure to marijuana between October 2009 and December 2011 – only 7 after eating pot-infused food. Compare that to the 16 children who were poisoned by e-cigarettes in Colorado last year – up from 4 in 2012 – after licking or drinking legal nicotine-laced products that come in alluring flavours like root beer.

 

The vast majority of parents with marijuana in their homes go to great efforts to keep it out of the hands of their children, just as they do with alcohol, cigarettes, toxic household cleaning products and those little liquor-filled chocolates that appear every year around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

It’s a parent’s responsibility to educate their children about “adult activities” and talk to them about why people shouldn’t partake in certain activities or substances until they’re of age – and marijuana-infused products should be part of those conversations.

 

Thankfully, should a young person accidentally ingest THC-infused edibles, there isn’t a lethal dose, so the worst consequences could include emotional agitation, anxiety, or sedation. There are no long-lasting negative impacts from consuming cannabis, and most of any discomfort fades away following a long, deep sleep.

 

Of course, those fighting to outlaw pot are also still asking the age old question, “What about the children?”

 

Colorado and Washington legalised recreational marijuana in 2012, which didn’t happen without plenty of debate centred around young people and rules about age limits for use. Some parents worried that kids would find pot food items and suffer serious harm, and that’s understandable: parents are supposed to consider how to keep their children safe. It makes sense for parents to ask questions about cannabis and the potential for harm it may present as marijuana becomes more commonplace.

 

As the new legal recreational marijuana industry starts offering a wider range of edibles, the question of how much they should be regulated will continue to be addressed. But in the same way we consider other products or activities that may be harmful to kids – such as learning to ride a bike or bringing peanut-butter sandwiches to school – we should lean towards education and prevention, not legislation.

 

Cannabis has been around for as long as human beings have existed, but only in recent years have we been able to analyse and ask questions about cannabis in a legal setting. Is marijuana deadly? Absolutely not, as proven by science. Will the physical and mental effects of cannabis edibles be unpleasant for someone if accidentally ingested? Most likely, yes – but that is no reason to spread hysteria about kids and cannabis, or to prevent adults from getting safe access.

 

If young people do manage to get into a marijuana stash, intentionally or accidentally, parents should remember that cannabis is one of the safest substances known to man, with no toxicity and no long-term effects. And if the experience of being high isn’t pleasant – which will likely be the case for someone who unintentionally eats THC-infused goods – it shouldn’t be used as an argument to undo the legalisation of cannabis or to impose excessive regulations on a budding industry.

 

Responsible use and storage of marijuana and edibles, along with honest education and openness when dealing with young people and pot, are much better plans than being scared senseless by prohibitionist hysteria about kids and cannabis.

 

 

 

 

 

[phaquetoo]

Good post wild bill!

 

I dont see any difference in todays world than yesterdays world, we dont let our kids get into our rx's do we? I know I dont and I keep a good count on my booze also, It is our job like it was our parents to keep us out of their cigs and booze and mj, I didnt have the mj in my home growing up,,,,unless it was mine or my brothers lol, my old man was a cop who was against pot,,,,he actualy used to ask me when I was like 15 why I dont just drink beer instead of smoking a joint,(mind you they were both ilegal to me at the time) I asked him why does he drink a beer instead of smoking a joint! bawahahahaha true story, me him and mom on the front porch in macomb county, pops just getting home from work, still in his cop clothes...he says beer relaxes him, I say pot relaxes me! and I ask him have you ever tried it? he says no, I say well try it,  I used to get drunk at weddings and party's with family there, back in the 70's parents used to always turn a blind eye to their kids sneaking booze at their partys,   I tried to get him and my mother to try a joint, I told them it relaxes me and they shouldnt knock it untill they tried it! 

 

I was a pretty bad kid, one time my mom found an oz of mine and flushed it down the toilet, I told her I was deducting 40 bucks from my 100 bucks a month they used to make me pay for rent when I was 16 and working instead of going to school! and I did only pay her 60 bucks that month, my old man used to tell me dont bring that sheat in his house, I bought my 1st car when I was 15 yrs old, a 68 fire bird, I kept my smoke out in my car, my car that I paid 900 bucks for and I paid ins for, I had ins before I could legaly drive, plpd and fire and theft but hey I paid my own way, I watched them buy my older sister and brother 50 dollar cars, and niether of my sis or bro worked, my parents would ground them from their cars!!!!   I told myself that aint happening with me, and it didnt, when I turned 16 and they tried to ground me from my car, I laughed and said it is my car!  It was my car, title in my name ins in my name it was mine, it used to tinkle them right off!  but there was nothing they could do, and like I said my old man was a cop,

 

My mom thru a bunch of empty garbage bags at me and told me to pack my clothes and get out bawahahaha!  I did, and I didnt care, I worked I had places to stay, I stayed gone untill my old man found me and said your mother wants you to come home, he said they were going on vacation to houghton lake (their cottage) for a month and my mom would like me to come,,,I said well Im going to canada next week for a week and I may come after that,,,,,I was a prick!  but I went back after my week in canada, and my parents actualy love me still! and I love them! lmao!

 

Peace

[trichcycler]

I remember begging for candy as a kid and locating a "silver dollar" handout score. This house had the  longest line on the block.Kids were changing up their costumes and hitting it multiple times......if anyone locates the pot brownie house, let me know, I do free Halloween candy testing !   just sayin..

[I wood]

I am more concerned about all the candy from china, that is a real threat I'm my opinion. Often unlabeled as to the contents.

Schools are passing that sh@t out all the time these days.

My kids read the label and throw it out without even asking me anymore.

[AbominableDro-Man]

You know when I was around trick or treating age', the big hoo-ha and scare thing every year was "Watch out for razors in your candy", it's only fitting that they'd figure out something new to put out there to scare the uninformed..

[Norby]

Umm, kids are dying from getting into their parents prescriptions at a very high rate, I'd think that this would be a relief knowing more parents are "on pot" rather than actual deadly drugs.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Norby

[phaquetoo]

when I was trick or treat age we had to stand in line, there were so many kids it was unbeleivable, we had elementry schools every where also, now most are adult ed or government housing,,,we had 3 elementary schools within a half mile of my house!  baby boomers!

 

Peace

[trichcycler]

like prescription medication, medical marijuana is expensive to grow and expensive to buy. times are tough for everyone. I don't worry about people drugging kid's candy with either. I do worry about the fda giving permission to spike our foods with cancer causing agents, sand, artificial sweeteners though. we actually pay for that, and can't get enough of it either!

[Willy]

if there handing out mj meds in the candy, I"m gonna go out and get me some.. who wants to bet ,, I wont get any!!   no body can afford to give it to kids, when they can sell it to the adults..  

[Restorium2]

You only let your kids eat opened or homemade stuff if you know the one handing it out. That's been the right advice for a long time now. You gotta watch for razor blades anyway. 

[Restorium2]

You know when I was around trick or treating age', the big hoo-ha and scare thing every year was "Watch out for razors in your candy", it's only fitting that they'd figure out something new to put out there to scare the uninformed..

Some kids bit into some needles. It's real. Look at your kids candy before they eat it if you can. Or only take them to places you know.

Edited October 31, 2014 by Restorium2

[phaquetoo]

The big thing back in my day was razor blades in apples!  not candy so much, and I trick or treated in 69 thru 72 with either one of my parents or a friends  parent, we had hippy houses back than, one right across the street from my house lol, they usualy kept the lights out or the kids just didnt go there!

 

Peace

[trichcycler]

I thought razor blades in apples was debunked?  Sounded like some sick scare tactic to get back to candy and msg while tossing fresh fruit and wholesome foods.

[phaquetoo]

to be honest thats all I realy remember is apples with razor blades and long long lines at every house, go over to harper and 14 mile and check out all of the streets that go east and west between harper and jefferson, there are so many houses and they are so close I bet a healthy kid can run down the whole street leaping from house to house on their roofs, lol, I lived on deziel all the homes were starter homes for people with kids, all little bongalows, and we also had the floods like they had this yr down there, when I was a kid they built dykes all around lake st. clair, we had a 7 yr period of flooding and the city of st. clair shores was still paving roads and putting storm drains in, I used to walk in the new sewars from harper and 14 mile all the way down 14 mile to gratiot and then go to tobbaco road and the macomb mall on gratiot and masonic!

 

 

I grew up there on deziel untill I was 13 than we moved to 11 mile and manhattan 3 houses from lake view high school!  I used to drive my brand new 1980 465 yz yamaha on 696 when they were working on it from I-94 to I-75.....that freeway was 11 mile rd when I 1st got my liscense!  they had issues at gratiot and 11 with quick sand lol, it took them alot longer than they planned to get passed gratiot, and that was the first 1/2 mile of the new freeway!

 

Peace

[Restorium2]

I thought razor blades in apples was debunked?  Sounded like some sick scare tactic to get back to candy and msg while tossing fresh fruit and wholesome foods.

It was a dumb prank to scare kids. If you watch the news you get accounts of tampered with candy some years. There are sick folks out there giving away candy. I wouldn't let my dog eat things given to him by strangers. I can't imagine letting my kid eat things handed to him by strangers without some 'looking it over'. I don't think 'trusting strangers' is as important as safety for my love ones.

Edited October 31, 2014 by Restorium2

[Sledge]

Tips for a safe Halloween

 

1. Stay supervised: Trick-or-treaters should be supervised by a trusted adult at all times. Traveling in groups whenever possible is also suggested.
   
2. Cross carefully: Be sure to cross streets at corners using crosswalks and traffic signals.
   
3. Stay on sidewalks: Stick to using established sidewalks and paths and, if necessary, walk against traffic on the outer edge of a roadway.
   
4. Be bright: Carry flash lights, glow sticks or attach reflective tape to costumes.
   
5. Don't obstruct vision: Try to steer clear of costumes with masks that obstruct vision.
   
6. Don't enter homes: Trick-or-treaters should not enter a home unless they are with a trusted adult.
   
7. Don't accept rides: Never accept rides from strangers
   
8. Be familiar with trick-or-treat locations: Make sure you're asking for candy in familiar areas.
   
9. Be prepared: Always carry a cellphone in case of emergencies
   
10. Drive carefully: Motorists are urged to drive slowly on Halloween, watching for trick-or-treaters crossing the street, driveways and alleys.
    
11. Examine treats: Adults are encouraged to examine all candy and treats for possible choking hazards and tampering before children eat them. With THC-infused marijuana edibles often designed to look like name-brand candy, make sure only factory-wrapped treats are consumed.
    

[t-pain]

honestly i think you got better odds of winning the lotto while being struck by lightning than finding poisoned candy or whatever.

 

lots of kids will die from getting run over by a car or getting the flu this year.

so wear some led lights on your costume/jacket and cross safely and just walk on the grass, not the road really. its way safer when theres no sidewalks.

 

and get your darn vaccines! i dont want no flu!