The objective was to evaluate trends in marijuana exposures reported to the Colorado regional poison centre (RPC). Human exposures cases from the Colorado RPC obtained from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2018 using generic marijuana exposure codes. There were 2221 marijuana exposures, with an increase in exposures by 11.2 cases per year (p<0.0001). Annual cases remained steady since 2014 (p=0.22), with a 19.4% increase in 2018 compared with 2017. Since 2014, the largest increase was in children age 0–8 years (p<0.0001). Edible marijuana exposures increased by 9.6 exposures per year from 2015 to 2018 (p=0.04). After observing an increase in Colorado RPC marijuana exposure cases in 2010 and 2014, annual exposures have been stable through 2017, with the first increase in legalised recreational sales era in 2018. There are specific concerns for the paediatric population and exposures involving edibles, as these cases continue to increase.
Cannabis-infused “edibles” are a popular means of cannabis use, and the variety of edible food products available to consumers continues to grow. Although there has been much discussion on dose standardization, childproof packaging, and the prevention of overconsumption, the important topic of food safety has received less attention. We discuss potential food safety hazards associated with cannabis-infused edible food products, drawing on examples from Colorado, and describe edible-associated foodborne illness outbreaks and other contamination events. It is important for public health agencies, particularly environmental health and enteric disease programs, to be familiar with the cannabis industry, including regulatory partners, signs and symptoms of cannabis ingestion, the scope of edible products sold and consumed, and the food safety risks unique to cannabis products.
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