Hello all.
Just wanted to share the most recent publication from JAMA - which did a study on the differences in ER visits in Canada and California before and after legalization of edibles, specifically in elder folks (avg. age +69yrs).
Its worth noting that while we are moving towards legalization on many fronts, the research is still pointing to adverse events and potential issues with the plant especially with edibles products.
We all know people who consume too many edibles. And many of us have experienced elders having negative outcomes often due to polypharmacy, but also because things are just so potent and there is limited education/understanding on consumption amounts.
A few milligrams may do nothing for us but for a polypharmacy elder it could end them up in the ER with apparent poisoning, fainting, falls, and blood pressure issues, among other things.
I feel like its important to keep sharing this with everyone because if/when we are on even footing under the FDA - these kinds of adverse event reports will become something that each of our businesses much attend to. If you are producing a dietary supplement or a drug product - then you have to track adverse events. If you are producing a cannabis product in Michigan, then you have to track adverse events.
Figuring out how to do this in a cost effective manner AND HOW TO communicate to consumers in such a way to prevent these kinds of increases, is important.
On the flip side - these issues happened long before legalization (as the report clearly shows) because over-indulging and polypharmacy issues existed as long as humans have been taking drugs and enjoying this sacred plant.
How are you working on adverse event reporting? Does your company already do education for young adults, adults, and elders?
I’m sure this will be sensationalized in the news along with all the edibles teenagers are eating and causing issues in schools / ERs too. I think the solution is more education - but there are plenty of people that think prohibition and punishment is the way to go.
How do you think we can keep this issue from exploding and becoming the next dietary supplement / pharmaceutical fiasco?