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Const. Derek Gallamore was shocked when his service in Delta, BC, dismantled a woman who allegedly sold brownies to weeds with 40 times the recommended single dose of THC.
The sweet treat seemed like an ordinary grocery store confectionery, but contained 400 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. He immediately imagined what could happen if a toddler encountered dessert.
"Being a parent, I looked at him and said:" Wait a second. "He said." There was no one there. " warning labels for children. "
Rise Krispie Square "Cannabis-infused" triple edible product seized by police in Delta, British Columbia. (Delta / HO Police Service / Canadian Press)
Although cannabis was legalized on October 17th, edible products will not be legal until next year. But that did not stop entrepreneurs from cooking candies, cookies and other pot-infused items and selling them online or at clinics.
Gallamore said that the woman was arrested about 18 months ago and that the prosecution had decided not to lay charges because they did not know how the legalization of marijuana would affect the case. .
The photos provided by Gallamore show that other items seized were in professional quality packaging. A rice-grain treat carried the words "away from the kids" in small letters, but the blue raspberry jelly candies were in a clear bag and looked like any other candy.
An edible cannabis product seized by police in Delta, British Columbia. is seen in this undated document photo. (Delta / HO Police Service / Canadian Press)
After the incident, he began researching the market for edible cannabis and learned that it was easy to buy delicious online treats for weeds. Most ask the buyer to register using a piece of government ID, but young people can still get the products, he said.
"It's pretty easy to ask someone to buy edible products for you," Gallamore said.
Poison calls doubled in Colorado
Some websites require buyers to agree to terms stating that they need cannabis for medical reasons. Online marijuana sales to medical users are illegal unless the producer is approved by Health Canada.
The federal government should launch consultations in the coming months on regulations on food consumption and consider imposing the use of a standardized cannabis symbol on labels and prohibiting product forms, ingredients and attractive flavorings for children.
In 2014, Colorado had virtually no restrictions on food products. That year, calls regarding marijuana exposure involving children and teenagers in a poison control center in Denver nearly doubled, and one student was killed after eating infused cookies.
Incidents prompted the state to adopt regulations, requiring in particular that each product be divided into portions of 10 milligrams or less of THC.
Regulation is a bit of a challenge
The effects of edible products are delayed in relation to marijuana use, which increases the risk of user over-consumption. These are often treats that appeal to children, said Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Medical Officer of Health, Vancouver Coastal Health.
Lysyshyn said Vancouver hospitals are witnessing an increase in the number of emergency room visits for cannabis-addicted youth every year on April 20 during the city's 4/20 weed festival. Most have consumed food products, he said.
"When people consume too much cannabis, they do not overdose as they do with heroin," he said.
"But it is uncomfortable to consume too much cannabis and people can feel nauseous, they can vomit, they can feel sweaty, they can feel anxious and paranoid and even suffer from psychosis if they consume enough. "
High Chew medicated food for sale at the Kushstock Cannabis Festival in Adelanto, California on October 20, 2018. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)
It will be difficult for the government to ensure that food products are not child-friendly but remain appetizing for adults, Lysyshyn added.
"I think it's a bit difficult to understand: what will be the regulations for that [companies] can produce reasonable products that people would like to eat, but are not attractive to children? & # 39; & # 39;
In early October, a young girl from Vancouver Island ate gummy bears infused with pot that she found in the back seat of a car. She was taken to the hospital in medical distress, but is expected to recover completely, the RCMP said.
Gallamore said his goal now was to educate parents and young people about the dangers of food products. He recently spoke to a parent advisory council and plans to make a presentation to a wider audience in early December.
"If you consume these things, close them, protect them," said Gallamore.
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