Cannabis jellies pose risk of ‘serious harm’ to young children, says doctor

There needs to be clear public safety messaging to ensure people are aware of the danger of young children ingesting cannabis jellies, a consultant at Temple Street children’s hospital in Dublin has warned.

Dr Ike Okafor said they can cause "serious harm" to children.

Six children under the age of 10 have been admitted to the hospital in the past six months after eating cannabis jellies.

Dr Okafor told the RTÉ Drivetime radio programme on Monday that large amounts of cannabis jellies can have "very serious effects" on children and if they were not treated in hospital "it could probably be quite serious".

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“Edibles have to be more tightly regulated, maybe through food-safety laws if current laws aren’t sufficient,” he said.

“GPs and doctors should be aware and be able to recognise and manage acute cannabis toxicity in children. I think we don’t fully understand or we hadn’t anticipated the consequence of cannabis edibles where it pertains to children.

“I don’t think that consequence is being thought about in the drive for the legalisation of this substance. It is a danger to young children and can cause serious harm.”