Kids eat pot snacks by accident

Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health has said parents should keep an eye on some packaged snacks for kids as they may contain cannabis.

This follows a survey carried out by the institute and a subcommittee on the effects of cannabis on kids that found six children have been hospitalised due to cannabis consumption.

Dr Aditsuda Fuengfoo, head of the Centre of Excellence in Children Development and Behaviour, said the subcommittee conducted a survey on June 21-26 on the effects of cannabis on children for the Royal College of Paediatricians.

Among the six reported cases was a 3-year-old who ate cookies containing cannabis and another child who ate a packaged snack not knowing it had cannabis in it. In both cases, cannabis was not clearly labelled as an ingredient on the product’s packaging.

Dr Aditsuda warned parents to take care of their children’s food and snacks. She also called for clear cannabis labelling on all types of food.

She added that after cannabis plants were made legal, more teenagers are now liberally using the plant for recreational purposes. “Some may even use it to substitute for cigarettes,” she said.

Dr Aditsuda said she was concerned that cannabis could serve as a gateway substance for some teenagers who then proceed to experiment with methamphetamine pills or heroin.

She said youths under 20 should refrain from consuming cannabis because it can have long-term psychological or other effects.

Researchers overseas have found that using cannabis can reduce a child’s IQ by six points, she said, adding that if they consume the plant for a long duration, they may decide not to go to school or complete their education, making it hard to find gainful employment later in life.

Any cannabis treatments for kids should be applied under a doctor’s supervision, she added.