Brownies, Cookies, Bears- Oh My! The Colorado Youth is Getting High

By Laura Gilbert, Georgia State University Freelance Writer

When marijuana was legalized, and recreational products were put on the market it was understood that problems would arise. The legalization meant that recreational marijuana was now going to be a hot commodity that would only be allowed to those of age — or so they thought.

According to The New York Times, a study that was published on Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics concluded that the exposure rates in young children has increased [150] percent since 2014, when recreational marijuana products, like sweets, were legally introduced to the market.

“The study is not an argument for or against legalization,” said Robert J. MacCoun, a professor at Stanford Law School who writes about the current issue of drug policy. “But it’s an argument for smart regulation,” he said, noting that many products are packaged not only in bright, alluring colors, but also in highly variable doses.

Due to the fact that kids are constantly on the search for something to get into, it was only a matter of time until they got their hands on these THC-infused brownies, cookies and gummy bears. With bright, colorful packaging and fun, [animal-shapes] — who could blame them?

When a child ingests recreational marijuana, they may experience symptoms of lethargy, agitation, vomiting and loss of balance. While the number of reported cases to hospitals and poison control units are relatively low, the consequences remain notable.

As of 2015, Colorado has required marijuana products to be sold in resealable, childproof packaging. In addition, this month, a gummy bear law went into effect, pronouncing that edible marijuana may not be rendered in the shape of humans, animals or fruits, thus no longer making them an obvious target for children.

However, consistency and portion size remains an issue. Dr. Kari L. Franson, an associate professor of Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado, noted that edible marijuana, such as candy bars or brownies, typically contains several servings. This makes

CNN reported that Colorado is one of three states — Washington and Oregon being the others — that have legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use. Other states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts and Maine, are next on the list for the legalization of recreational marijuana and will be on the [November 8] ballot, according to National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.