Health Department Urges Caution and Safe Consumption of Marijuana
/With program rules in effect as of February 3, the Division of Cannabis Regulation within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reviewed requests and now approved 335 of the state’s licensed medical marijuana facilities to convert their license to a comprehensive license (adult-use and medical). Approved facilities include 207 dispensaries, 72 manufacturers and 56 cultivation facilities.
If the individual facility has previously completed the commencement inspection process successfully with DHSS, this conversion approval from the State immediately authorizes the facility to commence operating under their new authority and begin legal sales to adult-use consumers age 21 and up. Among the 207 comprehensive dispensary facilities, 196 are currently approved to operate.
While the adult-use cannabis program was built based on guidelines approved by Missouri voters, the Department of Health and Senior Services, as the state’s public health authority, asks consumers to consume cannabis with caution. Adult consumers are encouraged to review the health effects of cannabis prior to consuming. Some important points of caution include the following:
Individuals should not use cannabis if pregnant as doing so may harm the baby’s health.
Individuals should not operate a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. This remains illegal and dangerous as driving requires a person’s full attention to stay safe and alert. Marijuana can slow one’s reaction time and ability to make decisions, impair coordination and distort one’s perception.
Adult consumers should ensure products are not accessible to those under age 21. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the teen brain is actively developing and continues to develop until around age 25. Marijuana use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain.
Edibles, or food and drink products infused with marijuana, have some different risks than smoked marijuana, including a greater risk of poisoning. Unlike smoked marijuana, edibles can:
Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, so some people may eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
Cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected, depending on the amount ingested, the last food eaten, and medications or alcohol used at the same time.
Children, adults and pets can mistake marijuana products, particularly edibles, for regular food or candy. Consuming marijuana can make children very sick. They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. If you have concerns of possible poisoning, call the Missouri Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or 911 if it is an emergency
KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story
