The recent decriminalization of medical marijuana in several states in the US comes as good news to those who depend on the drug for treatment of chronic disease. But there are also drawbacks to these changes in legislation; in particular, more children are being accidentally exposed to marijuana smoke and marijuana in food. What should parents and health care providers know about the health effects of marijuana, and what steps should we take to keep our children safe?
What is the difference between medical and recreational marijuana?
In essence there is no difference between marijuana sold for medical and recreational use. Recreational marijuana sellers use many of the same growers and kinds of marijuana as for medical marijuana. However it should be noted that there are a number of different kinds of marijuana, some of which have lower levels of THC and higher levels of other substances believed to help improve certain medical conditions. Medicinal marijuana has been methodically processed to have more therapeutic effects, and types that are processed for recreational use may have more properties that affect mood and thinking.
How can children be exposed to marijuana?
Children can be exposed to marijuana either by breathing in secondhand smoke or eating foods containing marijuana. 85% of secondhand smoke comes off the end of the cigarette or joint. The rest of the secondhand smoke has been exhaled by the user back out into the environment, which children breathe in. There are reports of smoke exposure severe enough to require admission to the intensive care unit.
Most children who require hospital treatment have eaten marijuana. Many new marijuana products on the market are tempting to children because they look like bakery products and candies. These products often contain more tetrahydrocannabinal (THC) than marijuana smoke.
Is marijuana smoke dangerous to children?
Smoke from marijuana contains a complex chemical mixture, which may be dangerous. A study in 2008 showed that marijuana smoke contained many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco smoke. Certain chemicals, including cyanide and ammonia, are significantly higher in marijuana smoke compared to cigarette smoke. Parents should keep their children away from marijuana smoke.
What are the health effects of marijuana exposure in children?
When children eat food containing marijuana they can have extreme sleepiness or lethargy. Children can also experience the same effects as adults including blood shot eyes, increased appetite, dry mouth, anxiety, and impaired motor coordination. If they inhale the smoke they can have lung irritation and asthma attacks. Most symptoms will last for 2-24 hours after exposure. No childhood deaths have been reported as a result of marijuana poisoning. If you think your child has eaten or inhaled marijuana, contact your local poison center.
What are potential long-term health effects of marijuana smoke exposure?
Many of the long-term health effects of exposure to marijuana smoke are still being studied, but it may cause cough and respiratory infections. There is also an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, decreased fertility, and alterations in memory, attention, and learning. As of now, there is no clear evidence that secondhand exposure to marijuana smoke can cause cancer, although marijuana smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals.
Can children get a “contact high”?
When marijuana plant material is burned, it triggers a chemical reaction that produces THC. While a large portion of the THC is delivered directly to the smoker’s lungs, a smaller but still significant amount is released into the air. The level of exposure to THC through the air is higher if it is being smoked in a small, enclosed area or an area with poor ventilation. A study conducted in 1983 showed that inhalation of second-hand marijuana smoke can result in detectable levels of THC in the blood and urine. The marijuana used in this study contained 2.8% THC, and the average THC level in today’s marijuana is 18%. THC levels can be as high as 50% if the user is vaporizing the plant oils.
Is smoking marijuana dangerous during pregnancy?
It can be. A study published in 1994 showed that children aged 3 and older whose mothers smoked marijuana during pregnancy had a decrease in attention span, brain function, and memory. A similar study in 2004 showed that children born to mothers who smoked marijuana in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy had higher levels of anxiety and depression.
How can I protect my child from the health hazards of marijuana?
• Keep your home free of marijuana smoke.
• Do not smoke marijuana in the car or other small, enclosed places.
• Keep marijuana-containing foods or drinks out of reach of children.
• Contact your local poison center if you think your child may have eaten or inhaled marijuana.
This post was written by Kristina Dakis, Medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. Edited by Susan Buchanan, MD.
Anderson M, Wang GS, Keteles K, Van Dyke M. Pediatric exposure to marijuana. PEHSU Network National Conversation. Apr. 2014.
Colorado Marijuana. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment – The State of Colorado, n.d. Web. 10 Aug. 2014. https://sites.google.com/a/state.co.us/marijuana/
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Wang GS, Narang SK, Wells K, Chuang R. A case series of marijuana exposures in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age. Child Abuse Negl. 2011 Jul;35(7):563-5.