A new study from Ontario indicates that emergency room visits for cannabis poisonings among older adults have tripled following the legalization of cannabis edibles in January 2020. This alarming trend was highlighted in research approved by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and recently published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal.
Dr. Nathan Stall, a researcher involved in the study, suggests several reasons for the vulnerability of older adults to the adverse effects of edible cannabis. These include a general unawareness of the potency of modern cannabis products, particularly edibles, and the complexities of how these products interact with the body, especially in those with reduced liver and kidney function.
The study utilized data from the Ontario Ministry of Health to examine emergency department visits before and after the legalization phases, including the period when only dried cannabis was legal starting in October 2018 and after the introduction of edibles in 2020.
Researchers note that the increase in emergency visits could be attributed to accidental ingestion, ease of access to cannabis products, and the lack of age-specific dosing instructions. The timing of edible cannabis legalization just before the COVID-19 pandemic might also have led to underreported cases, as older adults may have been reluctant to seek hospital care during the peak of the health crisis.
Given these findings, Stall advocates for better education on dosing and the potential adverse effects of cannabis, particularly for older individuals who may also be managing multiple prescriptions, which could interact with cannabis. This includes a higher risk of falls and confusion due to impaired cognitive functions.
As Canada continues to navigate the implications of widespread cannabis legalization, ensuring the safety of older adults remains a crucial concern.