Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/sSbGUgcsl68   As medical and recreational cannabis are increasingly legalized, poison control centers are fielding more calls from emergency rooms and desperate parents.  A report from UMass-Amherst just published in JAMA looks at the rise in calls following legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts.    Legalization of medicinal weed was followed by a 140% increase in poisoning calls with nearly 20% of the calls involving children infancy through 4 years of age.  Calls regarding edible marijuana increased for all age groups reflecting the misconception that edible versus smokable marijuana is less potent and dangerous.   Now remember that Massachusetts only legalized marijuana for medical purposes.  Recreational marijuana remains restricted, yet carelessness is permitting this drug to get into the hands of young children and abused by teens.     You cannot legislate morality or common sense so cannabis will soon be as available as alcohol.  We as parents must be certain to