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LEGAL MARIJUANA Be careful with pot edibles that go on sale Thursday Health officials warn to keep them away from children Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 6:04 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 6:04 PM » Social News Area marijuana dispensaries and public health officials are recommending that recreational users use caution with extracts and edibles that will be come available Thursday, especially around children. Edible marijuana products with up to 15 milligrams of THC will be available at dispensaries that serve recreational users 21 and older. What's available at dispensaries for recreational users has a fraction of the potency available to medical marijuana cardholders, but Peter Gross, COO of Green Valley Wellness and Epic Edibles, says those not familiar with how an edible product affects them should be careful in the beginning. “Start low, and go slow — that is the rule of thumb for edibles,” Gross said. "Edibles in general affect everyone differently." Edible marijuana users can take longer to feel effects, typically 30 minutes to an hour, Gross said. Some may need as long as 90 minutes. Gross suggested new users split edibles in half for their first dose, and suggests they should be in a safe place where they won't need to drive for at least five hours. Although Oregon's maximum recreational dosage is more than the 10 mg of THC Colorado allows, medical marijuana users have access to doses much higher, typically around 70 mg. Gross said that he personally knows 3 mg can make him feel "loopy," yet knows others who consume much more daily. Talent Health Club manager Andrew Robison said edibles are metabolized differently from smoked marijuana, causing a different THC compound to form, with more potent effects. “It’s not the same THC,” Robison said. “In layman’s terms it changes the psychoactivity to be about 4 to 5 times greater.” Although THC levels are limited, many extracts and edibles can contain higher levels of cannabidiol or CBD, a non-psychoactive compound that Robison said can reduce anxiety and chronic pain among other ailments. Other products newly available for recreational users include cartridges for vaporizer pens that contain no more than 1,000 mg THC, and lotions and topical oils and creams that are not psychoactive and have less than 6 percent THC. By Oregon law, all products are independently tested for potency, as well as contaminants such as pesticide residue, mold and mildew. All edibles are packaged in childproof containers at the time of sale, with a universal marijuana symbol. The Oregon Health Authority advises all marijuana products be stored in a locked area children cannot reach, not to expose children to secondhand smoke from smoking or vaping marijuana and not to be high when caring for a child. "Marijuana can make children very sick," the OHA website warns. "If symptoms seem bad, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. Symptoms can include your child having trouble walking or sitting up, starting to be sleepy or having a hard time breathing." Oregon Health Authority spokesperson Holly Heiberg said that typical THC side effects, including anxiety and paranoia, increased blood pressure and vomiting, can be exacerbated in children. If a child accidentally consumes a marijuana extract, call poison control at 1-800-1222 or call 911 if symptoms appear severe. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 6:04 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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