Candy or Cannabis? UVA Health expert warning about children ingesting THC during Halloween
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As trick-or-treaters head out Oct. 31, parents are urged to be vigilant about a hidden danger -- accidental cannabis ingestion. Every year, thousands of children are harmed by poisons in their own homes -- one of the growing concerns today are cannabis edibles. Dr. Chris Holstege, Director of the University of Virginia's (UVA) Blue Ridge Poison Center, warns that THC-infused edibles, often packaged to resemble popular candies, can pose a serious risk to children. “I think this is low-risk for trick or treating, but I don't think it's without risk,” said Dr. Holstege. Dr. Holstege said that, if THC-infused cannabis edibles are present at a home where trick-or-treaters visit, someone could grab the wrong product by mistake to give to children. Or, if children discover THC-laced edibles on their own, they may eat them. Dr. Holstege said people who are baking these products such as cannabis brownies and cookies should also be vigilant. In 2023, there were 6,888 calls to U.S. poison centers about children who ingested cannabis edibles. Dr. Holstege said he's taken care of many kids who've been accidently been poisoned. "It's pretty embarrassing when those adults come in and they feel terrible, they're not intentionally trying to poison their kids," said Holstege. The rate of increase in children ingesting THC edibles is slowing. Dr. Holsege said this is likely due to regulations like the removal of Delta-8 THC from the market in Virginia. If you think a child has eaten a cannabis edible, call the UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center immediately at 800-222-1222, even if they seem fine. The call is free and confidential, and the poison center is open 24/7.
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As trick-or-treaters head out Oct. 31, parents are urged to be vigilant about a hidden danger -- accidental cannabis ingestion.
Every year, thousands of children are harmed by poisons in their own homes -- one of the growing concerns today are cannabis edibles.
Dr. Chris Holstege, Director of the University of Virginia's (UVA) Blue Ridge Poison Center, warns that THC-infused edibles, often packaged to resemble popular candies, can pose a serious risk to children.
“I think this is low-risk for trick or treating, but I don't think it's without risk,” said Dr. Holstege.
Dr. Holstege said that, if THC-infused cannabis edibles are present at a home where trick-or-treaters visit, someone could grab the wrong product by mistake to give to children. Or, if children discover THC-laced edibles on their own, they may eat them.
Dr. Holstege said people who are baking these products such as cannabis brownies and cookies should also be vigilant.
In 2023, there were 6,888 calls to U.S. poison centers about children who ingested cannabis edibles. Dr. Holstege said he's taken care of many kids who've been accidently been poisoned.
"It's pretty embarrassing when those adults come in and they feel terrible, they're not intentionally trying to poison their kids," said Holstege.
The rate of increase in children ingesting THC edibles is slowing. Dr. Holsege said this is likely due to regulations like the removal of Delta-8 THC from the market in Virginia.
If you think a child has eaten a cannabis edible, call the UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center immediately at 800-222-1222, even if they seem fine. The call is free and confidential, and the poison center is open 24/7.
