Cannabis Safety Allied Physicians Group pediatrician

Dr. Eric Levene, pediatrician with Allied Physicians Group, and his colleagues urge parents to learn about how to protect their children from accidental consumption of cannabis products. New laws in New York State allow the licensed sale of marijuana to those 21 years of age or older. Now that cannabis is legal for recreational use, many parents are unaware of the hazards and dangers of having edible cannabis in their homes or in homes of friends and relatives.

“We have always been concerned about drug and alcohol use by teens. However, with the significant national rise in accidental consumption and overdoses with young children, we now must focus on educating parents about responsible cannabis use and storage,” said Levene. Parents need to know the facts:

• It is illegal to drive while high as it impairs cognitive motor skills and decision making. Drivers who are high will be charged with a DUI and will face the same penalties as if they were drinking and driving.

• According to Leandra’s Law, penalties for driving impaired with children under 16 in a vehicle are greater than when driving alone.

• Edible marijuana takes longer to enter a person’s system and this process can take up to several hours.

• For children, cannabis harms developing brains, impacts the ability to think and solve problems, affects memory loss, reduces coordination and causes difficulty maintaining attention.

• Cannabis potency has steadily increased over the years. Even small amounts can have long term impacts on children. Tips for safely securing cannabis:

• Keep marijuana and cannabis products in secure places well out of the reach of children.

• Ensure that all edible and other cannabis products are kept in a lockable, safe storing container that children do not have access to.

• Make sure all edible and other cannabis products are out of sight and never left out.

• Talk with children about the dangers of using cannabis.

“For those who buy cannabis products, secure them like you would alcohol or medications in the home. Lock them away, do not keep them anywhere near the kitchen or places where families normally eat,” Levene said. “Today, edible cannabis is packaged to look like ordinary candies and goods with familiar looking brand names and graphics. They can easily be confused for treats like gummy bears, lollipops and baked goods like cookies or brownies.”

For parents, it is important to know

Dr. Eric Levene

Olive Oil

Get your comfort from this creamy American side dish, which uses healthy olive oil instead of butter to add flavor and richness.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds small Yukon Gold potatoes, halved or cut into two-inch pieces

6 medium garlic cloves

1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped green onions

Directions

Put the potatoes, garlic, and salt in a large saucepan. Pour in enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Transfer the potatoes and garlic to a colander. Drain well. Return them to the pan.

Using the tines of a fork, mash the potatoes and garlic, being sure to crush each piece of potato and each garlic clove.

Add the green onions, oil, and pepper, stirring until well combined. Makes eight, half-cup servings.

—American Heart Association