Older cannabis users are ending up in ER

The internet seems convinced that Abraham Lincoln once said: “Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp and playing my Hohner harmonica.” However, the date often given for that declaration is two years before Hohner started making harmonicas. Seems the quote is dishonest about Honest Abe.

What is true, however, is that many of our country’s elders are smoking weed and it’s landing them in the ER. The UC San Diego School of Medicine reports that in California from 2005 to 2019, there was a 1,808 percent increase in the number of cannabis-related trips to the emergency department among folks aged 65 and older. In 2005, there were 366; in 2019, 12,167.

What accounts for this cannabis-catastrophe? Older folks don’t realize that today’s pot isn’t the same substance that they smoked in the old days — it’s much stronger. Also, with age, they’re more likely affected by the psychoactive elements and they’re more vulnerable when their reaction time is slowed. As a consequence, the ER is seeing physical injuries and falls; psychosis, delirium and paranoia; interaction with prescription medications; and an acute worsening of cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.

If you must use cannabis, consider edibles —you get a gentler, smoke-free dose. Remember, start low and slow and lock ‘em up so youngsters don’t sample the “candy.” You can also opt for pain-relieving CBD creams — they’re highly effective for many stresses, strains, pains and sleep problems.

Detecting autism

According to a new meta-study in JAMA Network, autism spectrum disorder affects around 2.3 percent of Americans — more men than women — and presents with a range of abilities and disabilities.

Common early signs and symptoms of ASD appear in the first two years of life and include a lack of response when a child’s name is called, limited use of gestures in communication and lack of imaginative play. Intensive interventions with children under age 5 can improve language, play and social communication significantly.

Unfortunately, there is no simple test to diagnose ASD, but if you suspect your child may have neurodevelopmental challenges or is on the spectrum, Autism Speaks has an online, 20-question screening tool that you can fill out and take to your pediatrician for further diagnostic steps. You can access it at www.autismspeaks.org/ screen-your-child.