The surge in THC edibles and their accidental ingestion by children has sparked an urgent concern. On April 14, news of a Buffalo school teacher “inadvertently” giving edible THC gummies to two students drew widespread attention. Although the teacher admitted to mistakenly thinking the cannabis-infused edible was a regular pack of Sour Patch Kids, data shows a soaring number of children accidentally consuming THC edibles.
Questions about kids ingesting THC edibles surge after legalization
According to WKBW, a teacher at PS 79 in Buffalo, New York, reportedly overlooked the “500 milligrams of THC” mark in small print and gave two THC edibles to two children. The children underwent evaluation at the hospital, and the Buffalo Public Schools district put the teacher on paid administrative leave. Though BPS stated it was an “isolated incident,” CNN had previously cited a statistical study highlighting the concerning rise in children consuming THC edibles.
According to the January 2023 study, incidents involving children under the age of 5 ingesting THC rose by 1,375% within four years. Besides rising from 207 to 3,054 during the reported time, another report by CNN mentioned more than 7,000 such cases across five years. While a quarter of the cases required hospitalization, about one in ten needed intensive care admissions. Moreover, Healthline reported that 90% of the accidental consumption occurred in children’s primary residences.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in 24 states without proper labeling called for reform. These reforms include lawmakers and child safety advocates pushing for tougher regulations to ensure children remain safe while cannabis continues to move into the mainstream.
In a public statement, NYS Senator Dean Murray acknowledged the importance of taking action and passing “marijuana packaging legislation.” Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio added, “It’s critical for cannabis edibles to be packaged in child-resistant containers, clearly labeled with dosage information, and with safety warnings.”
Measures such as child-resistant packaging and public education campaigns on safe storage practices have taken center stage in light of the recent events. While THC edibles move to the regular market, the need for clearer THC labeling to protect children has become a highlight to alleviate the dangerous consequences.
