Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1500506
28 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2023 The use and possession of cannabis and cannabis-related products remains illegal for anyone under the age of 21. In addi- tion, the purchase, possession and use of any tobacco, nicotine vapor or alternative tobacco product is illegal for anyone under age 21 in Virginia. Cannabis remains illegal for all ages at the federal level. Is a Danger to Growing Brains INTERVIEWED BY EMILY FREEHLING RACSB provides important guidance for parents As cannabis laws in Virginia and other states have been relaxed, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that cannabis use is on the rise among all adult age groups and pregnant women, despite the fact that cannabis use poses serious risks. Adults ages 18-25 have the highest rate of use. There is no safe level of cannabis use around children and adolescents. On behalf of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB), Kristin Wenger, education coordinator for the Blue Ridge Poison Center, shares important informa- tion about the dangers that cannabis products pose to children, adolescents and young adults. Q: What trends are you seeing regarding cannabis-related products and children? Kristin Wenger: Poison centers, emergency departments and health care providers across the country are seeing a rise in all kinds of cannabis-related problems. Some of the most concerning problems involve children. One of the reasons there have been skyrocketing numbers of children getting into cannabis products is because of the booming edibles industry. Edibles are not well-regulated. There is no guar- antee that any product that you purchase actually contains what its label says. Nor is there any guarantee that what's in it was tested. Edibles look just like candies or granola bars—things that are delicious. So, if an adult who has cannabis-based edibles in the home leaves them in a place where children can get into them, not only are they highly likely to eat them, but they are probably going to eat a lot. This is dangerous, because sometimes the dosing on a product can be something like half a cookie. How many kids do you know who eat half a cookie?