Canadian doctors warn marijuana edibles pose greater risk of overdose

CNBC 7 January 2020
Family First Comment: “Baked goods, candies or other cannabis-infused edibles may not be as safe as people think, researchers at the University of Toronto warn. It takes longer for the body to absorb edibles than other forms of marijuana, sometimes delaying psychoactive effects from the drug by up to 4 hours. This delay may lead some to eat more than intended and increase the risk of overdosing, they said.”

Baked goods, candies or other cannabis-infused edibles may not be as safe as people think, especially for first-time users, children and the elderly, according to a new paper published in the peer-reviewed Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The psychoactive effects can take up to 4 hours to fully kick in since it takes longer for the body to absorb edibles than other forms of marijuana. Some people may eat more than intended as a result, increasing the risk of overdosing, University of Toronto public health researchers Drs. Jasleen Grewal and Lawrence Loh wrote in a commentary piece published Monday.

“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,” Grewal and Loh wrote.

It’s difficult to die from overdosing on marijuana, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But an overdose can cause extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations and vomiting.

The effects of smoking pot or eating an edible can also last longer than alcohol, with the “high” from marijuana lasting up to eight hours, the researchers said.

The researchers also warn that the same dosage of cannabis can cause different responses in different people. Edibles can be especially risky for children, they said, whose metabolisms are different from adults.
READ MORE: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/07/canadian-doctors-warn-marijuana-edibles-pose-greater-risk-of-overdose.html

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