AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine says the number of young children accidentally ingesting marijuana has risen from 2 in 2016 to 16 in 2017.
The state this month cited figures provided by the Northern New England Poison Center, which serves Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The center’s director Karen Simone says it’s received 8 such calls so far this year.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says accidental marijuana ingestion often occurs when marijuana is combined with food to create ‘‘edible’’ candy, brownies and other baked goods. The state says doing so may entice children to eat them without knowing they contain the drug.
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Simone says such ingestion can be dangerous for kids who could become sleepy, have breathing troubles or hallucinate.