A tragic incident unfolded in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai, where a two-year-old girl fell into a coma after accidentally consuming 13 cannabis-infused gummy bears. The shocking event has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter regulation of cannabis edibles in the country.
According to a report by the Bangkok Post on Sunday, the incident took place in early July. The toddler’s teacher noticed the girl behaving unusually at school; she appeared lethargic, her eyes half-closed, and she refused to eat her lunch. Alarmed by these signs, the teacher contacted the child’s family.
The girl’s uncle rushed to the school and immediately took her to a nearby hospital. However, doctors were initially unable to determine the cause of her symptoms, which included drowsiness and a lack of responsiveness. The situation grew increasingly critical as the child slipped into unconsciousness.
Family Traces Poisoning to Birthday Party Edibles
As medical staff struggled to diagnose her condition, the family recalled hosting a birthday party for the girl’s uncle earlier that week at their home. Concerned, they questioned guests who attended the celebration. A couple then admitted to bringing cannabis gummies to the party and confessed that they had accidentally left the edibles behind at the house.
Based on the family’s account, the child was estimated to have eaten approximately 13 of these cannabis-laced gummy bears. The hospital subsequently diagnosed her with an acute allergic reaction to cannabis, accompanied by acute sinusitis. The combination of symptoms left her in a critical state.
The young girl remained unconscious for 24 hours while receiving treatment and was discharged from hospital on Friday, 4 July. However, mere hours after returning home, she developed a high fever and persistent hallucinations, necessitating her immediate readmission to hospital.
Father Seeks Accountability as Concerns Over Long-Term Effects Grow
On Saturday, 5 July, the girl’s father took to social media to share details of the terrifying ordeal, hoping to warn other parents about the dangers of cannabis edibles. He is currently seeking legal action against the couple responsible for leaving the gummies unattended, demanding compensation of 50,000 baht (approximately S$1,800) to cover mounting medical expenses.
The father also revealed that their insurance provider has refused to reimburse the costs, citing the involvement of illegal substances. This has left the family grappling with significant financial and emotional stress.
Deeply concerned about potential long-term damage to his daughter’s developing brain, the father has lodged a formal police report. He submitted two remaining cannabis gummies as evidence in hopes of prompting authorities to implement stricter controls over cannabis-infused foods and snacks, which have become increasingly popular since Thailand decriminalised certain cannabis products.