Roanoke Sun

Virginia's healthcare system is grappling with a growing crisis as 629 cases of child hospitalizations have surged, a consequence of children ingesting hemp-derived products often mistaken for candy, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. This trend has prompted urgent calls for stricter regulations and heightened awareness campaigns to protect the state's young population.

Toddlers are particularly susceptible to ingesting their parents' edible cannabis products, often packaged to resemble candy, and frequently consume large quantities of these edibles, sometimes consuming entire bags meant for single servings. These products are designed to mimic popular candies like Skittles, Nerds ropes and Pop Rocks, making them even more enticing to young children. When hospitalized for cannabis consumption, toddlers commonly exhibit symptoms such as elevated heart rates and sedation, which can lead to rapid, uncontrollable movements, posing a diagnostic challenge for doctors who must distinguish between "myoclonic jerks" and actual seizures.

In Spotsylvania County, a 4-year-old boy lost his life last year after consuming a significant quantity of marijuana-infused gummies. His mother was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. More recently, another young patient in Virginia required life support after ingesting cannabis. Furthermore, older youths and adults who intentionally consume cannabis products often underestimate the delayed onset of effects associated with edibles, which can take hours to manifest compared to the almost immediate effects of smoking marijuana. This misunderstanding frequently leads to individuals taking larger doses, exacerbating the risks. Christopher Holstege, the director of the Blue Ridge Poison Control Center, underscores the critical issue of inconsistent dosing in these products, emphasizing the importance of understanding and regulating cannabis edibles.

Despite the implementation of bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing high THC content in cannabis products, illegal edibles continue to be readily available in Virginia stores, leading to child health risks. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has initiated food safety inspections following the new legislation, issuing 11 citations within a two-month period. Prior to this year's legal changes, Virginia's CBD marketplace lacked essential consumer safety regulations, allowing the sale of THC-infused edibles under the guise of "hemp-based" or "CBD" products, which posed unpredictable and potentially hazardous THC levels. Attorney General Jason Miyares has also taken steps to address copycat products designed to mimic common snacks while containing THC, with the state budget now prohibiting the sale of THC products in packaging resembling protected trademarks or appealing to children.