The Virginia Health Department now tracks when there are “adverse events” involving children who have eaten products that contain THC and CBD, the compounds found in marijuana.
The tracking aims to “remove products from commerce that may have contaminants or unintended adverse effects,” according to the surveillance form clinicians are asked to fill out on the THC and CBD Adverse Events Reporting Portal.
The state asks health care providers to call their local health departments and fill out the surveillance form when a child experiences such an event. The form’s questions range from demographics to the name of the product on the package to where it was bought.
Reports of problems with THC and CBD have been coming into the state health department since November 2022. “Reported symptoms for these adverse events have included vomiting, hallucinations, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, altered mental status, and anxiety; some hospitalizations have occurred,” said Dr. Karen Shelton, state commissioner of health, in an April 24 letter to providers.
Health care providers should report individual adverse events where a child has required hospitalization and clusters of events. “After a hospitalization or cluster is reported, VDH staff will collect information about the illness(es), possible exposures, and laboratory results,” the letter said.
The surveillance for THC or tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD or cannabidiol is being conducted the same way providers would report diseases, such as mumps and chickenpox.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, earlier this year, vetoed legislation to legalize cannabis, citing in part, the health risks to children.
Virginia state law bans the sale of THC products that look like products with protected trademarks and products shaped like people, animals, vehicles, or fruit.
Last year, the Virginia Department of Health reported children visited emergency rooms because of adverse marijuana events 377 times. In 2019, there were 52 similar visits.
Feature image, generated with AI, stock.adobe.com
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