Is Medical Cannabis Safe For Kids? Canadian Paediatric Society Takes A Closer Look

Canadian advocacy association that promotes the health needs of children and youth is seeking more research on the safety, dosing and efficiency of medical cannabis in clinical practice.

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) noted a lack of studies on medical marijuana for children under 18 in an Oct. 19 position statement on its website.

“Despite many therapeutic claims, there are few rigorous studies to inform the dosing, safety, and efficacy of medical cannabis used in pediatric clinical practice,” CPS said last week.

See also: Cannabis Gave Her Child A Future: Now She Helps Other Families

“Given the widespread use of medical cannabis in Canada, pediatricians should be prepared to engage in open, ongoing discussions with families about its potential benefits and risks, and develop individualized plans that monitor efficacy, reduce harms, and mitigate drug−drug interactions,” the authors wrote in the abstract.

The recommendations from Lauren E. Kelly, PhD, Michael J. Rieder, MD and Yaron Finkelstein, MD are focused on safety, considerations for families and caregivers, such as side effects and cost as well as considerations for clinicians when authorizing medical cannabis for children.

According to the statement, the counseling should:

• be evidence-based and unbiased;
• help parents make informed, shared decisions about their child’s care;
• alert parents to the risks and implications of accessing cannabis through recreational sources.

Recent Study On Alcohol And Cannabis Use Among Youth

Meanwhile, public health officials are worried by recent survey results which suggest prevalent alcohol and cannabis use among students in Prince Edward Island.

The survey’s participants included students in Grades 7 to 12 during the last school year, reported CBC News.

The findings suggest that 27 percent of students in junior high and high school consumed alcohol in the previous month, out of which 16% said they binge drink. Roughly 13% of those surveyed reported using cannabis, surpassing the national average by 4%.

Now read: Children's Palliative Care & Medical Cannabis: Australian Researchers Conduct Pilot Study

Photo: Courtesy of Kimzy Nanney on Unsplash

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