Rising ER visits among seniors linked to cannabis-infused candies, study finds

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — From pain relief to sleep aids, CBD gummies and edible cannabis have been seen as the go-to remedy for many. As more places discuss legalizing marijuana, experts have continued to emphasize the need to keep it out of reach of small children. But now, there's talk that it might not just be them who could be affected.

New data dives into the health impacts of marijuana-infused candies on those aged 65 and over. According to the study, published by JAMA Internal Medicine, emergency rooms in Ontario, Canada saw a steady rise in visits among older adults experiencing cannabis poisoning.

A study out of California found similar results with ER visits showing an increase of over 1,800% in the last 15 years.

Experts say people often assume CBD is completely safe because it's over the counter, but that's not entirely true.

“They're looking at it as you know, vitamin so to speak, and it's not and actually you don't know what's in it. So, talk about you know flying blind, you're really flying blind,” Dr. Barbara Krantz, a medical expert based in Palm Beach County, said. “The supplement CBD is not FDA-controlled, so there's no dosage that's accurate. The purity doesn't have to be there. You know you're not you really don't know what you're taking. So, I wouldn't do that.”

Dr. Krantz is the Medical Director leading the Older Adults Program at Caron, an addiction treatment and rehabilitation center in Delray Beach.

She says prescription medication can play a huge factor because some drugs don't blend well together.

“A lot of people are on blood thinners, high blood pressure medicine, diabetes, antipsychotics, anti-seizure medicine, it will affect those medications and there can be dire consequences of that,” Dr. Krantz said.

See also: 500 pounds of marijuana found in Indiantown, deputies suspect organized crime involved

Experts also suggest portion control can play a part. Some older adults who take edibles may not be aware of the delayed effect it has, and if they take another too soon, it's a risky game of double dosing that could land them in the ER.

Cannabis poisoning is known to cause symptoms of dizziness, nausea, confusion, anxiety, and even chest pain.

“The bottom line with the dangers with an older adult and CBD is that they first should speak to a physician or at least a pharmacist before they buy it. And don't just buy it in the drugstore or the coffee shop or wherever. I mean, have some thoughts because they need to know if there are drug-drug interactions,” Dr. Krantz said.

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