Edible Cannabis Use May Carry Unexpected Risks
2020-01-13
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1Experts warn there could be unexpected health risks from eating foods containing the drug cannabis.
2Those risks include accidental overdose, children eating them accidentally and unexpected effects in older adults.
3The commentary by doctors Lawrence Loh and Jasleen K. Grewaland appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
4Loh is with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
5He said, "What we really want the public to know is that legal doesn't mean safe.
6People need to know that how they react will depend on the manner cannabis is consumed, the amount that is consumed and the person's own metabolism..."
7Loh said it can take hours for the cannabis high to take effect if the drug is eaten instead of smoked.
8So, he said, people might eat more of the cannabis as they wait for the high to happen.
9While a cannabis overdose will not kill you, it can be unpleasant, Loh said.
10He added, "We suggest people start with a low dose and go slow."
11Loh and Grewaland also advise older adults be extra careful with edible cannabis.
12They could be at greater risk for falls and injury, especially those who are not used to the drug's effects.
13Loh also warns that adults should be mindful that edible cannabis products might interest children.
14Loh said the drugs should be stored carefully "to make sure kids can't get into it."
15Loh and Grewaland also suggest that doctors add questions about cannabis to those they usually ask a patient, so they can offer education and advice.
16A warning such as this one "is really important," said Dr. Michael Lynch.
17He is medical director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania.
18Lynch said the risk of dying from an overdose is low.
19But he added that the risks of medical problems or injury is very real.
20"The greatest risk is to the young and the old," he said.
21Lynch said those who overdose would be at risk for falls, vomiting and weakness.
22An increase in heart rate and blood pressure could also be more of a problem for older people, Lynch said.
23He added, "People need to be educated about the risk so these outcomes can be avoided."
24I'm Caty Weaver.
1Experts warn there could be unexpected health risks from eating foods containing the drug cannabis. Those risks include accidental overdose, children eating them accidentally and unexpected effects in older adults. 2The commentary by doctors Lawrence Loh and Jasleen K. Grewaland appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. 3Loh is with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. He said, "What we really want the public to know is that legal doesn't mean safe. People need to know that how they react will depend on the manner cannabis is consumed, the amount that is consumed and the person's own metabolism..." 4Loh said it can take hours for the cannabis high to take effect if the drug is eaten instead of smoked. So, he said, people might eat more of the cannabis as they wait for the high to happen. 5While a cannabis overdose will not kill you, it can be unpleasant, Loh said. He added, "We suggest people start with a low dose and go slow." 6Loh and Grewaland also advise older adults be extra careful with edible cannabis. They could be at greater risk for falls and injury, especially those who are not used to the drug's effects. 7Loh also warns that adults should be mindful that edible cannabis products might interest children. Loh said the drugs should be stored carefully "to make sure kids can't get into it." 8Loh and Grewaland also suggest that doctors add questions about cannabis to those they usually ask a patient, so they can offer education and advice. 9A warning such as this one "is really important," said Dr. Michael Lynch. He is medical director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania. 10Lynch said the risk of dying from an overdose is low. But he added that the risks of medical problems or injury is very real. "The greatest risk is to the young and the old," he said. 11Lynch said those who overdose would be at risk for falls, vomiting and weakness. 12An increase in heart rate and blood pressure could also be more of a problem for older people, Lynch said. 13He added, "People need to be educated about the risk so these outcomes can be avoided." 14I'm Caty Weaver. 15Linda Carroll reported this story for the Reuters news agency. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 16_____________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18consume -v. to eat or drink (something) 19metabolism -n. the chemical processes by which a plant or an animal uses food, water, etc., to grow and heal and to make energy 20dose -n. the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time 21vomit -v. to have the food, liquid, etc., that is in your stomach come out through your mouth because you are sick 22outcome -n. something that happens as a result of an activity or process