We residents and citizens of Antigua and Barbuda go through our internet news portals often every week to see the headlines:
Drug bust! Another drug bust! More drugs were seized at port!
Even though thousands of pounds of marijuana are being seized monthly along with other drugs, many drugs still find their way through the cracks of the system, unto the street and into the bodies of our people.
Among these drugs are Cannabis-infused sweets which are subtly making their way into the mouths of our young Antiguan & Barbudans, yet parents are frequently unaware.
“Why aren’t we concerned as a nation that these illegal threats are being reached into the mouths of our youths, only destroying them slowly,” said a concerned citizen.
A cannabis edible, often known as a cannabis-infused food or simply an edible, is a food product that contains decarboxylated cannabinoids from cannabis extract as an active ingredient. These cannabinoid acids have been converted to their orally bioactive form.
The law that forbids the importation of items containing cannabis has been reminded to locals, despite their unassuming exteriors, a single pot cookie or candy bar might have a THC content that is several times higher than the amount advised for adults.
Anyone who consumes a THC edible in its entirety, especially a youngster, may have overdose symptoms like intoxication, altered perception, anxiety, panic, paranoia, weakness, dizziness, and slurred speech as well as excessive drowsiness. Apnea (not breathing for 10 seconds or longer), Heart issues, and more.
Notwithstanding societal views around cannabis usage, Police PRO Inspector Frankie Thomas emphasized the regulations against the importation of edibles.
“The importing and exporting of restricted substances are henceforth forbidden,” he said, according to the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“A fine of six times the value of the commodities or EC$20,000, whichever is larger, and one year in prison are the consequences for breaking this legislation,” he warned.
He concluded by stating, “furthermore, the court has the authority to set the amount of the fine in addition to the ten-year sentence.”
The Antiguan Trumpet is fighting for the mental health of our young people, who consume the majority of these harmful cannabis-infused foods.
Inform your children about the risks and urge them not to consume food from strangers.
