Both kids and adults love sweets. Whatever edibles you choose most likely look appealing to you, and they will absolutely look the same or better to someone younger.
But is cannabis healthy for kids? Physician-directed medical marijuana for children may happen in some cases, but it’s important to keep your stash away from your kids. If you order cannabis gummies online, here are some things to consider.
What’s the Worst-Case Scenario?
If a child were to find a stash of edibles and eat some, they would have a similar experience to an adult who exceeded a normal dosage. Anyone can experience the effects of cannabis overdose, but kids are more susceptible because it takes less to affect them.
The effects of cannabis overdose can be altered perception, feelings of intoxication, panic, slurred speech, lack of coordination, panic, heart issues, anxiety, and more. These are obviously symptoms that are uncomfortable to most anyone. To a child these can be downright scary.
On top of the drama of dealing with a child undergoing any or all of the above-mentioned feelings, you would have to deal with being responsible for leaving your stash out. If this is your child, it could be seen as negligence. If it is someone else’s child, then you’d have a lot of explaining to do.
Depending on where you live, the legality of child marijuana consumption will vary. It is important to note that there could be serious legal repercussions for a child intentionally or unintentionally consuming cannabis.
Is Cannabis Healthy for Kids?
The legal age for cannabis consumption in Canada ranges from 18 to 21, depending on the exact location. The reason for these age restrictions is to safeguard younger demographics.
Similar to the influence alcohol and other drugs have on a child’s brain, cannabis can impact development and growth. The human brain continues developing up until a person’s early twenties, on average.
Cannabis use that occurs too early can have various adverse effects, some that are felt immediately and others that do not show up till later in life. For example, in one study the frontal cortex was found to have changed in adolescents who consumed cannabis regularly.
3 Tips and Tricks
If you enjoy consuming cannabis at home and there are kids that reside in that household, then safety should be at the forefront of your mind.
First, be sure to have impeccable timing. Microdosing can be a good option while around others, but abstaining when kids are around is probably best.
Second, if you are a regular or even occasional user, talk to your kids about it. Like the sex talk, there is a time and place to have this conversation. Normalize it and be approachable.
Third, just like locking up household chemicals, make sure you keep any cannabis in a secure location. Your stash should be discrete and hidden.
Food for Thought Before You Order Cannabis Gummies Online
In general, cannabis should not be used by children due to the effects it can have on a developing brain. The consequences of prolonged cannabis use in children can increase the risk of mental health issues. If smoked or vaped, physical conditions may also present.
In what seems like a catch-22, anxiety and depression can be brought on or worsened with cannabis use in youth. This is ironic considering adults may use medicinal marijuana to combat these very same mental illnesses. Again, this just emphasizes the differences between an adult body and a child’s physiology.
Cannabis gummies look appealing, and cannabis may be healthy for kids. However, before you start doling out gummies, a pediatrician or health professional should always be consulted.
