Minnesota Poison Control System officials are warning about the risks THC edibles pose to young children. The warning comes as calls Minnesota Poison Control about children 12 and under ingesting THC edibles have risen sharply in just a short amount of time.
According to the Minnesota Poison Control, they received 73 calls as of Monday, up from 63 in 2021 and just 27 the year before.
The number of calls has risen each year since 2016, when the number of calls was zero.
"We certainly have seen really consistent and progressive increases in the number of calls that we receive," said Dr. Travis Olives, Associate Medical Director of the Minnesota Poison Control System. "It's important to remember that the number of calls that we receive almost certainly underestimates the number of cases that our out there because someone has to make the decision to contact us before we hear about them."
Per Minnesota state law, hemp-derived THC edibles may contain up to 5 milligrams per dose and up to 50 milligrams of THC per package.
Despite many viewing the amount per dose and package as a "limited" amount of THC, the amount still poses a significant risk for children.
"It's really the dose that makes the poison," added Dr. Olives. "Tiny doses of most things humans tolerate pretty well, but tiny bodies don't need as big of a dose as larger bodies in many cases. This is probably no different."
Minnesota's THC edibles that became legal on July 1 for individuals 21 and older states that products can't look like popular candies, or be shaped like fruit or animals.
"I think the main risk for children, particularly young children, is that a lot of these are likely to be designed to look like candy, taste good, and to things that are attractive to a lot of people. Among the people to whom they'll be attractive to are children, who may get into them for that reason."
According to Children's Minnesota, even just one, five milligram THC edible is enough to have a negative impact if consumed by children.
Overdose symptoms include trouble breathing, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, panic and paranoia. Other issues may include difficulty walking, poor coordination and slurred speech. and rapid heart rate.
In severe cases of overdose, children can experience hallucinations, an abnormally slow heart rate, and low blood pressure.
"How many kids that you know and love want to have just one piece of candy?" Olives said. "These may very well be intended to be single-servings, but I have kids as well and I know they're not ones to go for a single piece of candy or a single cookie. I do get concerned that there will be packages that include so many of these doses."
Health experts remind parents to store edibles safely if they're in the home, avoid buying edibles that look like candy, use them with caution, and talk to anyone else whose home your children spends time in if they use THC edibles.
"An ounce of prevention here is really important," Olives added.
Call 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at webpoisoncontrol.org for all poison emergencies and questions.