CHILDREN'S EXPOSURE TO CANNABIS - A GUIDE FOR PARENTS | HIGH MOMMAS - ALEXANDRA SUAREZ

We're back to the school routine (oh yes!!) and as our kids grow up, we encounter different challenges and situations that keep us up at night… the possibility of our children being offered controlled substances is one example. Children's exposure to cannabis is a significant health issue now that medical and/or recreational cannabis are legal in Puerto Rico and some states in the United States.

Below is a short guide to help you know what to do and how to react in these situations.

• How can my child be exposed to cannabis?

Children can be exposed to cannabis either by inhaling secondhand smoke or by eating cannabis-containing foods. Infants and children breathe in secondhand smoke when it is in the air around them. There are reports of children with cannabis smoke exposure severe enough to require admission to hospital intensive care units.

Most children hospitalized for cannabis-related issues have ingested it. Many new cannabis products on the market are tempting to children because they resemble baked goods and candy. These products often contain more THC than cannabis smoke, making them more dangerous to children than secondhand smoke.

• Is cannabis smoke dangerous for my child?

Cannabis smoke is a mixture of many chemicals that can be dangerous. Cannabis smoke contains many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke, and certain chemicals like cyanide and ammonia are present in significantly higher concentrations in cannabis smoke compared to cigarette smoke. Parents should keep their children away from cannabis smoke.

• What are the health effects of cannabis exposure in children?

When children eat cannabis-infused foods, they may experience extreme sleepiness or low energy. Inhaling the smoke can cause lung irritation and asthma attacks. Higher-potency products can cause anxiety, unusual behavior, and agitation. Children may also experience the same effects as adults, such as bloodshot eyes, increased appetite, dry mouth, and decreased coordination. Significant exposure can lead to severe hyperactivity, slowed breathing, and even coma. The health effects of cannabis can last from 24 to 36 hours in children.

• How can I protect my child from the health dangers of cannabis?

1. If you believe your child has inhaled or ingested cannabis, contact your local poison control center.

2. Keep your home free of cannabis smoke

3. Do not smoke cannabis in the car or other small, enclosed spaces.

4. Keep food or beverages containing cannabis out of the reach of children and/or in a separate, locked container.

5. Do not store cannabis-containing foods with your regular food products.

6. Have conversations with your children about the differences between foods containing cannabis and regular food products, similar to warning children about alcohol.

High momma or high daddy whoever is reading this, it is everyone's responsibility to take care of our children and just like with most controlled substances, there is a reason why there is a minimum age for the consumption of this wonderful and very medicinal flower.

ALEXANDRA SUÁREZ

@highmommas