An Ordinary Drink that’s leading to Addiction. The danger of Cannabis-Infused Products

A level 300 Student Production by Adjei Angel

 Cannabis-infused products are becoming increasingly common, especially among young people. Often packaged to look like ordinary foods and drinks, they can be difficult to distinguish from everyday products. While their popularity continues to grow, so do concerns about accidental consumption and its possible health consequences. https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSXKGrXDr/

Some cannabis-infused products closely resemble everyday foods and beverages, making it difficult for consumers to identify them without proper labelling or awareness.

Cannabis-infused kosua ne meko. Source: Pulse Ghana

Cannabis-infused products are foods, drinks, or other items that contain cannabis (marijuana) or chemicals extracted from the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or CBD (cannabidiol).

They come in different forms, including gummies, candies, brownies, cookies, cakes, chocolates, soft drinks, energy drinks, tea, coffee, honey, cooking oils, kosua ne meko (egg and pepper), ice cream, and sobolo (bissap drink).

These products are becoming increasingly popular because they are easy to consume and often resemble ordinary foods and beverages. Their attractive appearance, peer influence, and social media have made them especially appealing to young people.

However, this growing popularity also raises concerns. Some people consume these products without realizing they contain cannabis, exposing themselves to potential health risks, including addiction and other serious health effects.

Cannabis-infused cookies. Source:MJBizDaiy.

Sometimes, the familiar appearance of these products can make it difficult to tell whether they contain cannabis or not.

What seemed like an ordinary ice cream became the beginning of an unstoppable cravings that has become a struggle for Christodia Asante. She explained that she unknowingly consumed a cannabis-infused ice cream, that led into an experience that later developed into an addiction to marijuana.

Source: Adjei Angel. Christodia Asante, a victim of infused product

“The kind of feeling I had after taking it, made me feel the urge to try infused products over and over again” said by Christodia Asante.

 Christodia’s experience is not an isolated one. As cannabis-infused products become more accessible, authorities continue to warn about the dangers they pose, particularly when people consume them unknowingly. To better understand these risks and the measures being taken to address them, an interview was conducted with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

 https://soundcloud.com/akua-dufie-752937678/nacotic-audio?si=67f737b9b5214dc7b9b647b9cf91bcb0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The officer’s comments reinforce the need for greater public awareness about cannabis-infused products. Knowing what is in the foods and drinks we consume can help reduce the risk of accidental exposure and its possible consequences.

As cannabis-infused products continue to appear in forms that look like everyday foods and beverages, what more can individuals, families, schools, and authorities do to prevent others from unknowingly consuming them?