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New research shows a dramatic increase, both locally and nationally, in the number of young children ending up in the hospital after eating cannabis products.

According to the 2022 California Marijuana Impact Report, the number of calls to Poison Control centers nationwide for kids 0-12 years old who had ingested cannabis products went up more than 2,000% between 2016-21. The report also found the majority of Poison Control calls in California for ingesting cannabis were for children under the age of 5.

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People who used marijuana daily were found to be about one-third more likely to develop coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with people who have never used the drug, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session Together With the World Congress of Cardiology.    

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However, new research from the Keck School of Medicine of USC may have found the 'smoking gun' linking vape use to the same damage caused by cigarettes.

For the study, published February 14 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, scientists divided 72 healthy adults into three groups — current smokers, current vapers, and people who have never smoked or vaped.

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Timmy's eyes were rolling side to side in his head as his floppy body did not respond to his mother's calling. He was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the ICU. The 4-year-old ate one of his mother's Cannabis Infused Rainbow Sherbet flavored gummies and ended up with marijuana poisoning and coma. There is no antidote to THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis, so Timmy had to wait and detoxify over the next couple of days.

Timmy is one of 7043 children under the age of 6 exposed to cannabis in the United States between 2017-2021. According to the National Poison Data System pediatric exposures increased 1375% during that time. Diagnosis data from Children's Hospitals found 15% of marijuana-related hospital encounters required hospitalization and 4% required mechanical ventilation.

To view article click here.

• The Food and Drug Administration said 1/26/23 there are too many unknowns about CBD products to regulate them as foods or supplements and called on Congress to create new rules for the massive and growing market.
• Questions remain about CBD’s effects on liver, male reproductive system and on pregnant women and children. 
• New rules could include clear labels, regulations regarding contaminants, limits on CBD levels and requirements, such as a minimum purchase age. Regulations are also needed for CBD products for animals.
• The FDA will continue to take action against CBD and other cannabis products to protect the public. The agency has sent warning letters to some companies making health claims for CBD.  Go to AP News click here.