Why Cannabis Plants Are Not Dangerous to Children

Have you ever worried if it was safe for your children or grandchildren to be around your cannabis plants growing in the garden? No worries! Here, you will learn about why cannabis plants that are growing in the ground do not contain enough THC to pose a risk to children, how they can become a safe part of your family garden, and what you should worry about instead.

Article Features

• Explanation of why cannabis plants don’t naturally contain THC
• An overview of what kind of products you should keep away from children
• Want to skip the hard work? Shop with me and have premium, high-quality cannabis products delivered directly to your door! Now shipping across the US.

Quick Facts

The main health and safety concern associated with cannabis is THC, a compound that can cause an intoxicating high. Growing cannabis plants contain little to no activated THC. Therefore, they do not pose an intoxication risk to children (or adults).

Unfortunately, most people have never had the opportunity to see a cannabis plant growing in the ground or the chance to see it be turned into medicine.

This is why most people incorrectly assume that these plants are somehow dangerous when they are growing. 

However, the scientific truth is that growing cannabis plants does not pose a health or safety risk to children or adults.

They pose no more threat than the tomato or squash plants growing next door.

Still not sure?

Let me share with you the scientific reasons why cannabis plants are safe and natural for your children and grandchildren to be around.

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The Answer is Scientific

Raw cannabis plants do not naturally contain large amounts of THC (or CBD or CBG)¹.

Instead, cannabis plants contain what are known as cannabinoid acids. The most common acids are THCA, CBDA, and CBGA. 

These cannabinoid acids are *non-intoxicating*, meaning they cannot get someone high through touching or eating.

Cannabinoid acids must be converted into the active forms of THC, CBD, and CBG through decarboxylation.

The process of decarboxylation occurs when cannabis is exposed to light or heat (through baking or smoking)².

After this process, THC is then active and can now be considered dangerous to children if consumed (which is when reasonable safety measures should be put in place; see more below).

However, it is nearly impossible for decarboxylation to be achieved by a child under appropriate supervision.

Growing cannabis plants do not pose a health or safety threat to children because they do not contain large amounts of active THC. 

Even if a child were to eat raw cannabis, they are not consuming any THC because decarboxylation has not taken place. 

As a mother of two, I can guarantee it is very difficult to get a little boy to eat any type of green vegetable, and it is unlikely I will ever find him out in the garden chowing down on a cannabis plant.

What You Should Worry About Instead

Just because growing cannabis plants are not dangerous to kids does not mean that THC cannabis products are not.

It is still extremely important to keep prepared cannabis products that contain active forms of THC away from children – especially edibles.

Your job as the parent is to store these products in a way that keeps them out of children’s hands – no matter their age. 

From toddlers to teenagers, it is important to take the appropriate precautions for you and your family. 

Safe Practices Include:

• Secure storage – child-resistant backs or lockboxes or locks installed on cupboards.
• Appropriate packaging and labeling – standardized cannabis symbol
• Appropriate disposal practices
• Contact info for your local poison control center ³

There is always a possibility of encountering environmental health risks during the growing process.

Risks that are naturally seen when growing other crops, such as mold development, are possible. 

It is also important to keep chemical products, such as pesticides, out of children’s hands. They can be toxic if consumed. 

Indoor grows run additional risks, such as carbon dioxide buildup and electrical and fire hazards, and should be considered carefully.

A Part of Your Family Garden

Keeping growing cannabis plants away from children because they might get high is like saying you can’t take a child into a restaurant with a bar because they might get drunk. 

If you are legally allowed to grow cannabis plants where you live, there is no reason your plants can’t be a part of your traditional garden.

Growing your own cannabis plants with your family is a great way to teach your children about cannabis – why we grow it and how it can help us.

It is also a great time to teach them about using THC responsibly when they are of legal age, just like we talk to our children about using alcohol responsibly. 

Having open and honest conversations with our children about cannabis and its role in our lives will only set them up for success later in life.

It will allow them to learn about the plant, understand its benefits, and see how it helps you and your health.

For many parents, cannabis helps them be more present, more patient, and feel less guilt, which in turn makes them better parents.

Proper education can help keep everyone safe in the long run!