Local news outlets report a Fort Smith couple will be tried jointly in a case concerning THC overdose by a child.
THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.
KNWA reports,
Kelli Casey, 31, and Roy Casey, 31, were arrested on April 8 on first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and maintaining a premises for drug activity charges. Both have pleaded not guilty to those charges. . . .
A probable cause affidavit said that on Feb. 7, Fort Smith police officers were contacted by a hospital regarding an unresponsive toddler who was flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
Hospital staff determined the child had acute respiratory failure and secondary THC poisoning due to overdosing on THC, according to the affidavit. . . .
The affidavit said officers searched the home and found 11 grams of marijuana, 20 THC liquid vape cartridges and two bongs with THC wax residue on the kitchen counter. There was also a film of wax residue on multiple items in the home.
We have written repeatedly about the harm that THC can cause to children. Nationwide, THC products are sending kids to the emergency room.
Earlier this year, USA Today reported 11 middle schoolers in New York were hospitalized on Monday after a classmate gave them gummies laced with THC.
In March, health officials in North Carolina released a report showing a surge in Poison Control calls about children exposed to THC.
This year the Arkansas Legislature passed a good law to help protect people from dangerous drugs like THC. Lawmakers also rejected multiple bills legalizing THC and similar substances.
All of this reminds us once again: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
