Marijuana is a dangerous drug, arguably more dangerous than tobacco.

While America and Oklahoma try to stop addiction to cigarettes – a noble undertaking – the state is opening wide the doors to marijuana usage.

Besides the danger to adults who smoke marijuana, there is a serious threat happening among children in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information reports that cases of children ingesting marijuana edibles has multiplied 10-fold since 2018.  The effects on toddlers especially could be serious, even life-threatening.

In 2020, marijuana-related calls involving children jumped to 126 cases, up from just 13 in 2018.

The cause is the increase usage of marijuana and parents not keeping these dangerous drugs away from their kids.

Scott Schaeffer, managing director of the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information reports, “Children are particularly sensitive to marijuana products. They may become unresponsive; blood pressure and heart rate are often affected as well. Children may mistake edible marijuana products (like candy or cookies) for regular food, and small children are at higher risk for overdose based on their weight. Many children who consume marijuana edibles require hospital admission due to the severity of their symptoms; we are aware of two children in the state who became seriously ill this week after eating edibles contained in packaging virtually indistinguishable from products available in a grocery or convenience store. In order to reduce the risk of injury or illness, store all marijuana products up and away from children just like any medication or chemicals.” Tobacco is dangerous. Marijuana is becoming more of a threat, especially to children.