After Canada legalized marijuana, more seniors ended up in the emergency room, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers found that cannabis poisonings doubled in those 65 and older when Canada legalized the sale of cannabis flower and tripled after Canada allowed edible sales just 15 months later.
“Legalization has occurred without adequate research on safety and downstream consequences,” researchers wrote.
During the eight-year study period, more than 2,300 emergency visits were reported for cannabis poisoning in seniors. The average age was 69.
“Edible cannabis products may be particularly dangerous because they are often indistinguishable from non-cannabis-containing foods and may contain high amounts of THC, the major active ingredient in both medical and recreational cannabis,” researchers wrote.
According to the California Department of Public Health, edibles also take longer to take effect, so people may eat more edibles while waiting for the “high.”
Symptoms of cannabis poisoning may include difficulty with coordination, lethargy, nausea, dizziness, confusion, and slurred speech.