The hospitalizations related to cannabis use have gone up since 2013 in all age groups.

In the Capitale-national region, some children 14 years old and under got intoxicated with cannabis. The Quebec City Police Department is investigating. According to investigators the children in recent cases could have absorbed products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the chemical product that gives people a buzz.

The Directorate of the CIUSSS publics health adds that children are particularly at risk of serious health impacts if they ingest a cannabis product, regardless of the legal status of the product. Authorities are giving some advice to prevent young people’s health problems related to cannabis, including keeping the cannabis products in their original package, storing them in place out of reach of children, and making sure that children are not exposed to secondhand smoke from cannabis.

“These are busy preschoolers who are getting into places that, ideally, they shouldn’t be at. They’re finding something that looks very appealing to eat with no understanding of the fact that it contains cannabis,” said Dr. Daniel Myran.

The SPVQ (Quebec city police department) and the Quebec City Health and social services center invited the population to be more vigilant toward the use of various cannabis products and derivatives that contain THC. Police say it is not possible to guarantee the integrity and as well as their actual THC content of products such as cannabis candies or solid foods such as chocolates, confectionery, or desserts.

“There are just certain products that no matter how you package them, no matter how you present them, they will look appealing. Candy is candy, and kids will be interested in that,” said Dr. Myran.