Education and Prevention for Teens on Edibles

• Transcript

  Last Updated: November 3, 2023

  SUPE: Hi! This is SUPE, the gentle dragon. Today, we’re gonna go over what edibles are. They might look like candies, but they can be very dangerous. I’ll leave you with Bob and Michael.

  Bob: Hey everyone. Today, I want to talk to you about edibles. Michael, do you know what cannabis edibles are?

  Michael: They are candies that have pot in it right?

  Bob: You are right, Michael! Edibles are products that contain cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds that when consumed affect the mind and body. One of them is THC “Tetrahydrocannabinol”. Repeat after me: “Tetrahydrocannabinol” [laughs] I’m just… I’m kidding. I’m just kidding. It’s a cannabinoid that makes an individual euphoric and intoxicated. It’s what we call a high. And just to be clear, I’m not gonna tell you everything about cannabis in this video. We covered most of it in our marijuana video. Edibles can come in the form of chocolates, candies, gummies, drinks, and more.

  Michael: I did not know they came in all those forms.

  Bob: Yeah, they do Michael. Edibles can seem great in a way, compared to regular marijuana, because they don’t smell, you don’t have to inhale smoke and you aren’t restricted on where you can use it. But cannabis isn’t good in any way for your health. Let me explain. The effects of edibles last longer because they go through your digestive system. The effects can last up to 12 hours, with residual effects lasting up to 24 hours. Just imagine you’re at a friend’s house, you won’t be able to drive the same day without possible consequences or, if you have school or an exam the next day, you might still be high.

  Michael: Wow! I’d never heard that. That’s not great.

  Bob: For sure, Michael. A danger with edibles is that it takes some time before you feel any effects. It can take about 30 minutes to two hours and it peaks at about the four-hour mark. That can lead you to think that you need more and can make you ingest more than you’re supposed to. That means, you can end up in a really bad state mentally and physically and end up in the hospital. Remember, they’re not candies. They’re a powerful drug.

  Michael: This is so NOT what my friend told me the other day!

  Bob: I know Michael, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. And there’s another factor to consider when talking about the effects. Because edibles are ingested, your liver turns the THC into a stronger form, so the same amount of THC with edibles could be more intense than dried cannabis. For example, in Colorado where cannabis is legalized, edibles have put a disproportionate number of people in the hospital. And the manufacturing of edibles is not as strongly regulated compared to other products. So the amount of THC in it can fluctuate and makes it very dangerous. It also can be made by anyone at home using soft drinks, butter, brownies, tea, etc.

  Michael: These edibles look so inoffensive. I never would have known they were dangerous.

  Bob: I know, right! And now, it’s time for “Preveeeeeention!” Don’t eat candies, chocolate, or any kinds of snacks if you don’t know where they came from, whether you’re in school, at a party or anywhere else. Of course, don’t take snacks from someone you don’t know or trust. If you’re aware of your parents using edibles, make sure that they store them properly so you don’t eat one by accident. If you see one of your friends becoming paranoid, being very anxious, or hallucinating, DON’T leave them alone and get some help by calling a responsible adult or even 911 if you see it getting out of control. DO NOT stop yourself from helping them ’cause you think you or your friends will get in trouble. The consequences of not getting help could be WAY MORE catastrophic. Most states have “Samaritan laws” that protect people when they’re helping others. You can google it and see what it entails in your state or country. The main point with edibles is that you never know what you get. The edible can be 5 times more potent than what’s written on the package. If you already take prescribed medication, mixing it with edibles is a big NO. If you have other medications in your system, your body may metabolize THC differently, causing THC levels in your bloodstream to dangerously increase. That’s it everyone! I hope it cleared up a few things about edibles. See you soon and live a drug-free life!

  SUPE: Hey guys! I’m back. I hope you learned something about edibles. Remember, our goal is not to tell you whether edibles are better than smoked marijuana. Any drug isn’t good for you unless it’s prescribed by a medical professional to help with a diagnosed condition. I’m honored that you let me go over this drug education prevention with you. Live a drug-free life!

  Sources: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-7-Things-About-Edible-Cannabis-2019-en.pdf
  https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cannabis-edibles-health-risks
  https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/drug-alert-marijuana-edibles

Test Your Knowledge on Edibles

• | What are cannabis edibles?
    Get Answer Here: 0:32  
• | What are the different forms of edibles? 
    Get Answer Here: 1:09  
• | How long can the effects of edibles last? 
    Get Answer Here: 1:34  
• | Can you take candies from someone you don’t know? 
    Get Answer Here: 3:29  
• | What should you do if you see one of your friends high and not feeling well?  
    Get Answer Here: 3:50  
• | Can you get in trouble by helping someone who is not feeling well on drugs?  
    Get Answer Here: 4:03  

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