Doctor warns of dangers of cannabis jellies which can lead to seizures or potential coma

A WARNING has been issued to people about the dangers of cannabis jellies after it was reported that six children under the age of 10 have been admitted to hospital in the past six months after ingesting them.

The jellies, which can look like, smell like and even be packaged in a similar way to regular store-bought sweets can contain significant levels of psychotropic cannabis component THC which can cause mild euphoria and some sedation when ingested.

In toxic amounts, children can become un-coordinated and potentially go into a coma or take seizures.

A consultant at Temple Street Children’s Hospital said that the jellies can cause “serious harm” to children if eaten. Speaking on RTÉ Drivetime radio programme on Monday, August 16, Dr Ike Okafor called for the edibles to have more “tightly regulated” laws and that the current laws are not “sufficient”.

He said: “GPs and doctors should be aware and be able to recognise and manage acute cannabis toxicity in children. I think we don’t fully understand, or we hadn’t anticipated the consequence of cannabis edibles where it pertains to children.

“I don’t think that consequence is being thought about in the drive for the legalisation of this substance. It is a danger to young children and can cause serious harm.”

The stark warning comes after the seizure of cannabis jellies worth €33,700 in Bluebell on Sunday, August 8. Gardai attached to Community Engagement Units in Kilmainham and Kevin Street Garda stations lead the operation and arrested a man in his 30’s following a search, a seizure of cash and a small quantity of cannabis was made and the man was taken to Kevin Street Garda station where he was detained.

Following this, Gardai searched a residential property where cannabis jellies with an estimated street value of €33,700 were discovered and seized – along with “an array of drug paraphernalia” and a man in his 40’s and woman in her 30’s were arrested and were detained at Kevin Street Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Two men were charged in relation to the seizure and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday August 9 and the woman was charged and will appear before Court on September 1, 2021.