North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) has joined Cumbria police in raising awareness and sharing the warnings for young people on the danger of eating 'gummies'.

Cumbria Police’s Child Centred Policing teams have been made aware of a number incidents across the country involving young people taking “sweets” or “gummies” containing unknown ingredients, but believed to include CBD oil.

A number of young people across the country, including a teenager from Cumbria, have been reported to have been hospitalised, having suffered adverse reactions after consuming these gummies.

Dr Mike Schofield, consultant in emergency medicine and paediatric emergency medicine at NCIC said: “These reports are concerning. Recreational cannabis use in children and young people is increasing both locally and nationally, especially in ‘gummie’/ vape form. Drugs from unregulated sources are dangerous and may contain other harmful substances which can cause seizures (fits), severe allergic reactions, hyperthermia, heart problems, breathing problem, bleeding from the stomach/food pipe and in some cases can even lead to cardiac arrest heart stopping) and death.

“I would urge children and young people to stop and think before considering taking cannabis in any form but especially when the source is unknown.”

A Cumbria Police spokesperson said:“We have received a number of reports that young people, across Cumbria, have been consuming “gummies”. The reports include young people being sold them by peers and accessing them from unregulated sources.

“In light of these worrying reports, we would urge young people to avoid contact with people selling these gummies so they can keep themselves safe and out of trouble.

“We hope by speaking about the dangers, we can raise awareness and deter other from taking the same course of action.”

Dr Schofield said cannabis has a long list of side effects including: feeling drowsy, tired or lethargic, faint or sick, problems with memory or concentrating, experiencing mild hallucinations, feeling confused, anxious or paranoid, feeling wheezy or out of breath, developing an uncomfortable or painful cough, making symptoms of asthma worse in people with asthma, reduced ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Driving while under the influence of cannabis, increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

The above symptoms are also worse if cannabis is combined with alcohol.

Excess consumption of gummies can also cause diarrhoea;, increases the risk of developing a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, can cause infertility and may harm unborn children if used during pregnancy.

If children and young people need any support in stopping cannabis or want further information on the harmful effects of cannabis they can: see a GP, visit Frank's Find support page, call Frank's free drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600, Marijuana Anonymous - a free self-help group. Call them on 0300 124 0373 (callback service).