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Hazards of Oral Marijuana
Since medical marijuana cannot be smoked in Florida, many serious or potentially fatal side effects are avoided. However, there are still several potential problems with its use. Part of these issues surround controlling access to the marijuana that has been baked into brownies, cookies, candy or tea. Other issues revolve around measurement of the appropriate amount of marijuana to be used. Some people incorrectly assume because it is taken orally in Florida, the effect of marijuana is less potent than the smoked marijuana.
Child Access
Children that have access to candy or food will eat the candy or food. Marijuana ingestion by children causing hospitalization has increased dramatically in the past decade nationwide in states where marijuana is state-legal. It is vitally important to secure any baked goods or candy containing marijuana in a safe place, out of reach or children, and preferably labeled in a container that cannot be accessed by children. In fact baking marijuana into any candy or brownie is simply inviting children to sample these goods. Storing the foods containing marijuana in a separate refrigerator that is locked. There are many child overdoses each year due to marijuana causing lassitude or hallucinations. Some manufacturers of edible marijuana products intentionally try to disguise their products as gummy bears or candy bars, another very dangerous and ill advised ploy that can be disastrous to children. Finally, never ever place foods containing marijuana on the table with other foods at family gatherings or parties.
Excessive Dosage
Baked candy or brownies "medibles" (edible marijuana) or even teas may have so much potent marijuana that it is difficult to control the dosage. The timeframe of onset of the effects of orally consumed marijuana may also be confusing to those who are used to the immediate onset of smoked marijuana. If there is not an effect within 30-60 minutes, many people will take additional dosages of food containing marijuana, only to have a sudden intense onset of effect and protracted effect lasting 5-10 hours. The onset also varies with fat content and sugar content of the last meal, and how soon the marijuana is consumed relative to the last meal. Sometimes the potency of current marijuana that may contain up to 30% THC is surprising to those that are used to the much less potent strains from decades past, averaging 0.7% in the 1970s, 3% in the 1980s, 7% in 1990s, and now much higher. High doses of marijuana produces paranoia and hallucinations or intractable severe vomiting.
Surreptitious Use of Marijuana
Some people that do not respect the potential of marijuana to cause severe side effects think it is cute to drug their unwitting guests with food laced with marijuana. This is not only dangerous but also constitutes a felony offense.
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