Baltimore Students Collapsed After Eating Marijuana Edibles: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — Three students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School were hospitalized this week after ingesting edibles made with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, according to multiple reports citing school district officials.

Two other students also fell ill but were released to their parents, reports said.

According to a Baltimore Banner report, one student had a seizure while another fell unconscious during one of the school's lunch periods. A third student also reportedly collapsed, a spokesperson told the Banner.

A toxicology test revealed the reactions were caused by THC, reports said. The district is investigating what the students ingested and how they obtained it.

In a letter sent to families obtained by Fox Baltimore, district officials resources on the dangers of drugs and counseling sessions would be made available to students.

"Please be assured that this matter is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with the appropriate authorities to gather all relevant information," the letter read. "We understand that incidents like these can be concerning, and we want to assure you that we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness."

Since marijuana use directly affects brain function, developing brains — such as those in babies, children, and teenagers — are especially susceptible to the drug's harmful effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While marijuana edibles are intended for adults age 21 and over, the products remain under scrutiny because many are sodas, candy, and sweets — products familiar and appealing to children.

"As legalization and liberalization of cannabis laws spread nationwide, we have seen increased rates of accidental ingestion of edible cannabis products in children,” Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University, said in a recent publication.

She continued, "It's important for parents to ensure products containing THC are properly stored, as with any medication. It is also important for parents to realize that many cannabis edibles can contain high levels of THC, posing a greater risk to children than adults."