Beware of cannabis edibles this Halloween

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Halloween high sounds like a slasher movie in development.

But with Health Canada expected to legalize the sale of cannabis edibles this year, there are concerns THC-packed gummy bears, brownies, chocolate bars, cookies and other trippy treats pose a threat to kids.

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And it’s easy to see how it could happen.

Cannabis candy often looks just like hard or gummy candy, or chocolate, so adults should be on the lookout for unusual candy packaging this Halloween.

Be particularly vigilant about homemade packages.

Dr. Jean E. Klig, from the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, said in an email to The Toronto Sun that the key is parental awareness when it comes to treating cannabis exposure in children.

Particularly at “high-risk times” like Halloween.

“In a time when more cannabis is more widely available overall, emergency medicine physicians should remain vigilant for acute presentations of cannabis exposure in pediatric patients,” Klig said.

She added: “All cases of accidental cannabis exposure in children should be evaluated by child protection services.”

Cannabis candy contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient that causes a high.

And these days, accidental ingestion is a growing concern, as edibles often come in the form of colourful candies or baked goods with attractive packaging that can be hard to distinguish from the types of candy and desserts that are popular with children.

For toddlers and young children, the effects of accidental ingestion can occur within 30 minutes to three hours, and symptoms can vary depending on the amount and potency of the product ingested.

Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, hyperkinesis (rapid, jerky movement), altered mental states and coma.

So be wary this Halloween for candies that can give your kids a lot more than a sugar rush.