Marijuana-infused edibles incites debate in Windsor
In addition to being ingested, these are some ways marijuana can be administered. Photo by Sidharth Krishna.
The practice of infusing food with marijuana is a topic of discussion in Windsor and some parents.
Edible marijuana, unlike its inhalable counterpart, has a delayed reaction in the body. According to the Drugs Free Kids Canada website, when cannabis edibles or beverages are ingested, THC travels to the stomach, then to your liver before reaching your bloodstream and brain. The liver metabolizes the THC to a stronger chemical called 11-hydroxy-THC which intensifies the effects of cannabis on your brain and body.
“It(marijuana) will definitely have a different effect on them (children),” said Susan Chevalier, mother of two kids aged eight and 12. “To introduce that to kids is taking away their choice.”
Chevalier also said although she is okay with marijuana-edibles being sold at “places where adults shop”, she would be bothered if it was made available at a regular corner store.
“I want them(children) to make wise choices,” said Chevalier. “Right now kids don’t need to be exposed to any kind of marijuana at all.”
According to a 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey report, Ontario has a marijuana use of 36.9 per cent among Grade 12 students and in fact, according to a study by The American Journal of Psychiatry, marijuana can be more harmful to a teenager than alcohol.
“You can infuse just about any edible with marijuana,” said a marijuana-seller who did not want to be identified. “You can infuse brownies, cookies, gummies etc.”
The seller also said that adults should be more responsible when it comes to storing marijuana.
“The adults who buy them need to be aware as to how they store it,” said the seller. “It’s like medicine. You don’t want to put Tylenol somewhere a kid can easily swallow it.”
According to a study by the JAMA Psychiatry, marijuana use among teenagers can result in impaired cognitive function.
Another study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America indicates who teens that are regular users of marijuana lose an average of 5.8 IQ points by the time they reach adulthood.
The seller also said most people have the misconception that the size of the marijuana-infused edible is proportional to the intensity of its effects.
“People underestimate the intensity of the high,” he said.
In addition to being ingested, these are some ways marijuana can be administered. Photo by Sidharth Krishna.
“A single marijuana-infused gummy could have more intense effects than an entire brownie infused with marijuana.”
A National Center for Biotechnology Information study indicates that the likelihood of developing problem use or addiction increases considerably for those who start young.
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