Oklahoma sees uptick of accidental marijuana consumption among kids under 5 – FOX23 News

“Basically, if it’s food, it can be medicated,” mentioned Co-Owner of Med Pharm Denise Mink.

While sparsely, marijuana will not be harmful for adults, medical doctors say they’re seeing a daunting pattern. According to medical doctors, there’s a large spike within the quantity of younger kids getting vey sick after by chance ingesting THC-infused meals.

Dr. Ryan Brown is a pediatrician on the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Emergency Room (ER) in Oklahoma City. He mentioned he sees youngsters as younger as 2-years-old within the ER on account of marijuana poisoning.

“The kids cannot differentiate between a gummy bear that’s full of sugar and a gummy bear that’s full of THC,” Brown defined.

He’s not alone. The numbers from the Oklahoma Poison Center (OPC) are staggering.

Between 2010 and 2018, there have been 54 reported circumstances of accidental marijuana consumption among youngsters 0 to 5. In 2019 — only one yr after the state handed the Medical Marijuana Bill — that quantity jumped to 76 circumstances.

And it’s solely gone up from there. OPC mentioned in 2020, 152 circumstances had been reported. In 2021, 211 circumstances had been reported. Last yr, OPC mentioned 269 circumstances had been reported.

And Brown mentioned he feels these numbers are low.

“Because I think we’re seeing more kids out there that just are not being reported,” he mentioned.

FOX23 took 2022 for instance. Of the 269 circumstances reported, the information exhibits 110 kids — practically 40 % — had been admitted to the hospital. Close to 1/4 of these hospitalized went to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). That is roughly 20 Oklahoma youngsters in essential care final yr on account of marijuana poisoning.

“I’ve actually had to intubate some kids because their breathing has slowed down so much,” Brown mentioned.

FOX23 requested him what it felt wish to should intubate a younger baby who has gone by means of that.

“You know, it’s sad. It really is,” he mentioned. “Usually, when you talk to the parents … the parents are the ones that … they just get this look on their face. Like, ‘Oh my gosh. This is happening.’”

Thankfully, no baby has died, however Brown mentioned it’s not out of the query if the pattern continues.

FOX23 went to Med-Pharm, a dispensary in Broken Arrow, to get response.

“Well it’s shocking,” mentioned Mink. “And it’s sad because it’s so avoidable.”

She mentioned medical marijuana must be handled like another medicine.

(*5*) Mink mentioned.

Sarah O’Brien is a registered nurse and herbalist who does consultations at Med Pharm. She talked to FOX23 in regards to the risks.

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“In the body, THC is going to act like a sedative to children,” O’Brien defined. “There are things like depression in respirations. Typically, it’s going to bring down heart rates. It’s going to bring down respiration rates.”

She continued, “So there are a lot of ways that it can be dangerous for kids.”

O’Brien added the chance is even larger if youngsters ingest a big quantity. But she mentioned there are methods to remain secure. As easy as it’s, O’Brien mentioned getting a safe container on your medical marijuana can preserve kids out.

“A kid is not going to be able to open this,” she defined. “You have to know exactly what you’re doing to get that open.”

And Mink mentioned speaking to your youngsters is simply as necessary.

“Put this [away] but educate your kids,” Mink mentioned. “This is medicine. You can’t take this.”

Brown additionally advised FOX23 that training is extra necessary than ever, particularly with voters deciding whether or not or to not legalize marijuana this March.

“I really predict our numbers will go even higher if it’s passed,” Brown mentioned. “Because people may even be more careless.”

FOX23 requested Brown if he believed marijuana was a foul factor.

“No, I am not saying that marijuana is bad,” he mentioned. “What I’m saying is, marijuana in the hands of children is bad.”