Many outlets have recently picked up a story from 2014 after a cannabis health report alert was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Colorado approved the legislation for the recreational use of marijuana in 2012. It was two years later when they approved edibles with instructions to advise consumers of how much portions to take, and how many milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was in the recommended portion.
In the state if you are under 21 you can face a fine for attempting to buy or being caught with marijuana. Last year, 19-year-old Levy Thamba Pongi was in Colorado visiting with friends. An older friend of his purchased a cannabis cookie for Pongi and told him to take the recommended dose.
The store representative explained to Pongi’s friend to split the cookie in six separate pieces, as each piece would contain 10mg of THC. This is also Colorado’s recommended serving size for edibles. Once the friends were alone, Pongi consumed the recommended portion and told his friends he did not feel a thing nearly an hour later. His friends relayed he ate the remainder of the cookie under two hours from the purchase.
After a few hours Pongi started showing side effects from the over-consumption of the edible. He began to experience slurred speech, and friends reported he started acting hostile. Later that day, Pongi went to the fourth floor of the building he was staying at and jumped to his death.
Too much of any substance can cause negative side-effects, in addition, irresponsible handling could lead to drastic consequences.
Pongi had never used marijuana or ingested cannabis previously. His experience was limited, and it was also illegal to permit him any access to the cookie. Edibles offer the wanted relaxation and potential high, but due to its oral administration and the absorption process, it can take up to two hours for that to be experienced. For those who are of legal age and unsure what, if any, edibles and how much to consume, speaking to a cannabis store representative is highly suggested.
Earlier this year Colorado implemented a labeling rule of edibles not exceeding more than 10mg of cannabis, or clearly marking each portion that contained 10mg.
To read more about the case, read the CDC report here.