THC edibles
MOORHEAD (KFGO/KVRR) – Over the years, public health organizations across the U.S. have warned about smoking and vaping, but now they’ve turned their attention to Delta 8 THC, especially being used by teenagers.
Clay County Public Health (CCPH) says less than 5% of teens have used Delta 8 in the county.
“There is no safe amount. Just like nicotine, there’s no safe amount in the teen brain. The teen brain is still developing and therefore we don’t want any substances to alter that growth,” CCPH substance prevention coordinator Jason McCoy said.
Delta 8 is a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. According to the FDA, Delta 8 has intoxicating effects, and there has been an uptick in adverse events.
“As well as causing a host of other conditions right along with it. Everything from anxiety and depression to psychosis, hallucinations. Schizophrenia. It can get very bad, very fast in that young, developing brain,” Essentia Health nurse practitioner Kathy Nevins said.
One major concern is marketing, which can appeal to children and teens. Delta 8 can come in the form of gummies or chocolate.
“You start asking questions like, ‘why is this property that’s supposedly supposed to be only to adults, someone over 21, why is it being marketed in a way that clearly is aimed toward a teenager,’” McCoy said.
Nevins said Essentia Health works with stores in Minnesota that sell Delta-8 products, asking them to not put them in the storefronts
McCoy said there are steps being taken to regulate the products.
“In Minnesota, the new recreational marijuana law includes a section that specifically says you’re not supposed to package anything in that manner,” McCoy said.
Both Nevins and McCoy said it is important for parents or guardians to talk to teens about the use of Delta 8.
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