In a new research paper, doctors in Canada have warned that weed edibles aren’t as safe as many proclaim them to be and that first-timers are likely to consume harmful amounts.
Canada legalised cannabis in October 2018 and several associated products became available for purchase in January 2019. It was only last October that weed edibles were also legalised. Meanwhile, in the US, Illinois became the 11th state to legalise cannabis. Interestingly, a few US presidential candidates have even pledged to legalise it across the country if they’re voted to office.
In some American states where cannbis is already legal, more and more people are visiting hospitals complaining of rapid heartbeats, anxiety and vomiting. A study last year found that almost 10% of pot-related emergency visits in Colorado were caused by weed edibles.
Lawrence Loh, author and public health researcher at the University of Toronto, said that harms caused by weed could be amplified through edibles since our bodies process it differently as compared to when we smoke or vape.
The symptoms aren’t life-threatening but are distressing, nonetheless. Consumers of edibles as well as doctors narrated stories of racing hearts, psychosis and anxiety. People are also at risk of involuntary weed consumption.
Loh and the co-author of his research paper argue that many people misperceive weed edibles as a ‘wonder drug’ for mood enhancement, lowering anxiety or curing insomnia, even though evidence suggests mixed benefits.
Loh wants people to become more aware of weed edible-related risks and advised doctors to ask patients about their cannabis use.