Recent weeks have brought alarming developments concerning marijuana’s impact on our children and youth. From accidental ingestions leading to emergency room visits, to concerning legislative gaps, the evidence continues to mount that we must strengthen our efforts to protect young people from marijuana’s harmful effects.

⚠️ What We’re Up Against 

A disturbing incident at Hayes Elementary in Oklahoma City, where children mistakenly consumed THC edibles brought to school, illustrates a rapidly growing trend of pediatric emergency visits due to marijuana poisoning. Dr. Ryan Brown of OU Children’s Hospital reports treating such cases nearly daily, primarily involving edibles. The state has seen a shocking 381% increase in poison control calls for children aged 6-19 and an almost unfathomable 2,529% increase for children under 5. These statistics underscore the urgent need for stricter safety protocols and increased parental awareness. 

Stories of small children being poisoned from accidental THC candy ingestion are showing up in newspapers all around the country every week, including two highly publicized stories in just the past two weeks from Michigan and Upstate New York (where studies show a staggering 1,375% increase in incidents of children under five consuming THC edibles over a four-year period). Meanwhile, the growing popularity of THC-infused beverages presents a new challenge in protecting youth, as outlined in this high profile exposé in USA Today. 

🔬 Science Corner

A new Scientific American overview explains how THC interacts with our brain’s endocannabinoid system to produce psychoactive effects. Once in the bloodstream, THC crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to cannabinoid receptors in areas controlling memory, appetite, fear, and motor skills. This interaction can impair short-term memory, alter time perception, and stimulate appetite by enhancing the taste and smell of food. With recent legislative changes easing research restrictions, we must ensure studies prioritize understanding THC’s implications for young people over normalizing its use before comprehensive safety data is available.

⚖️ Legislative Developments

In Florida this week, Representative Michelle Salzman is championing vitally needed legislation (HB 7029) to regulate THC-infused hemp products, prioritizing restricting these products from minors by limiting THC drink sales to establishments with liquor licenses. This would prevent accessibility at convenience stores frequently visited by youth.

Meanwhile, the Minneapolis Park Board in Minnesota has explicitly banned THC and cannabis smoking in city parks, extending existing smoking prohibitions to create safer public spaces for children. This policy, which commissioners hope to elevate to an ordinance with legal penalties, demonstrates the importance of clear boundaries to protect youth from exposure to marijuana in public settings.

In Georgia, House Speaker Jon Burns has created a blue-ribbon study committee to examine the state’s medical marijuana and hemp policies. This committee’s focus on ensuring consumer safety and providing clear guidelines for medical professionals and distributors offers an important opportunity to strengthen regulations that protect children and adolescents from cannabis exposure.

👥 Parent to Parent 

On Sunday, April 20th, 2025, cities across the country hosted marijuana-themed events marking what is known as “4/20.” While some festivals, like Denver’s Civic Center Park event, now require attendees to be 21 or older, the culture and marketing around these celebrations still reach younger audiences. These events often celebrate high-potency THC products and can normalize heavy marijuana use.

Parents who support One Chance to Grow Up can use this moment as an opportunity to start a meaningful conversation. Begin by asking your teen if they’ve heard of 4/20 and what they think it means. Stay calm and open, listening more than lecturing. Share facts about how high-potency THC affects the developing brain and the risks of regular use at a young age. You can also talk about how the marijuana industry sometimes markets products—like candy-flavored edibles or colorful vapes—in ways that can appeal to kids. Your voice matters. Research shows teens are more likely to delay or avoid drug use when they have clear, caring guidance from parents.

The alarming trends highlighted in this newsletter underscore the urgent need for our continued advocacy. Together, we can work toward stronger protections for children and young adults from the harmful effects of marijuana exposure.