Reefer madness: NY issues weed warning guide as ER visits skyrocket especially among little kids

The state has issued a new guide warning about the negatives of smoking or ingesting marijuana as an alarming study discovered ER visits are skyrocketing — especially among little kids.The guide, “Talking With Young People About Weed,” notes that the brain develops until age 25 and that frequent pot users — and accidental young children who ingest the drug — can develop cannabis poisoning.“Anyone who uses cannabis frequently over time is at risk for developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome,” says the warning, prepared by New York’s Office of Cannabis Management.“This medical condition causes severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea, and repeated vomiting.In some cases, symptoms are so intense that individuals may seek emergency medical care.”The state Health Department last week released an eye-opening report that found emergency-room visits for cannabis poisoning has skyrocketed since New York legalized weed in the past decade — first for medicinal purposes in 2016 and then for adults in 2021.

Pediatric hospital visits involving cannabis and children under age 5 specifically surged more than 1,600% since 2016.The findings are an “I told you so” moment,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, who opposed legalizing marijuana, to The Post.“At the time the marijuana bill was debated, there was ample evidence of the medical problems that marijuana causes.Lawmakers ignored the evidence.

They wanted the tax revenue,” Kassar said.“Now you’re trying to resuscitate something you broke in the first place,” he said.   The short-term effects for teens who use cannabis regularly may include:The study found that in terms of long-term risks for teenagers, 16% of teens who regular use cannabis will develop Cannabis Use Disorder compared to about 10% of adults who started using cannabis as adults, and risky cannabis use is more likely when people start using as teens.Last summer, The Post reported that drug-treatment pro...