PHOENIX (Oct. 24, 2023) – Arizona’s two poison centers and the Arizona Dispensaries Association will join the Trainees for Childhood Injury Prevention in a day of action on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to raise awareness about the dangers of children ingesting marijuana and other tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles. Experts from Arizona’s two poison centers urge caution to the community, especially during the holiday season, to keep any form of marijuana or THC edible (including illicit minor cannabinoids like delta-8) out of reach and sight of children. National reports from poison centers continue to show an increase in calls regarding these unintentional edible exposures in children.
“It is important to keep these products locked up and out of sight,” said Maureen Roland, RN, Director at the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center serving Maricopa County. “If your child unintentionally eats a marijuana edible, try to find out what and how much they ate. Look at the edible's wrapper to see how much THC (in any form) it contains, and call the free, 24/7 poison control helpline — 1-800-222-1222 — as soon as possible for help.”
Arizona Dispensaries Association is the representative for the regulated cannabis industry in Arizona, and the organization’s mission is to educate and promote safe cannabis use. To ensure safety, it is important for cannabis users to only purchase and consume products from a licensed dispensary. Regulated products are lab tested and not sold or marketed to children. Legal marijuana products may not resemble the form of a human, animal, insect, fruit, toy, or cartoon. Products that resemble popular candy products are not sold in licensed dispensaries and should be considered dangerous.
“Licensed marijuana dispensaries may not sell marijuana with names that resemble or imitate food or drink brands marketed to children. And, to protect our youth, all products must be placed in child-resistant packaging prior to leaving the dispensary,” said Ann Torrez, executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association.
About Banner Poison and Drug Information Center
The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is a phone call away and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. The center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County. Assistance is available in more than 150 languages. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter.
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