Law makers have debated over the topic of marijuana for decades. Now that places are starting to accept it both legally and socially, there are new problems that are arising with its regulation. Now there are multiple forms of THC filled products that are available to the public as an alternative to smoking. Edibles are THC filled treats that are in the form of brownies, candies, drinks, etc. Kids are coming into contact with these edibles and are mistaking them for regular brownies, candies, drinks, etc. There have been multiple cases where a child has ingested an edible, thinking it was regular food, and had to go to the hospital to treat the symptoms. A solution must be found to keep our kids away from edibles. 

I am interested in this topic because I believe in safety. There are rules and regulations for everything else that could potentially be harmful, so why not edibles? There are reasons why alcohol and tobacco are so heavily regulated, and edibles should be too, for some of the same reasons. This topic affects my values because I believe that the government should do just as much to keep edibles out of the hands of children, as they do to keep alcohol and cigarettes out of the hands of children. I have a younger brother and I would not be happy if he accidentally ate an edible because he thought it was just a piece of candy. I am a fan of THC products myself, but I couldn't even imagine how the effects of such products would be on a child. I didn't experience the effects of THC until I was 16, and even then it was an intense experience. One that I would never wish on an unsuspecting adult, let alone an unsuspecting child.  I was obviously still too young then, and some would say that I still am now. Yet, I firmly believe that people under the legal age should stay away from THC and should be protected from edibles. Some would say it's the pot calling the kettle black, but if an alcoholic dad told his son binge drinking is bad, how wrong is he? I believe that I am qualified to write about this topic because I have a history of THC experience, however "wrong" it may be, and I know what the experience is like and I think I can safely say it would be uncomfortable at best for a child. Just the same way an alcoholic knows that an infant wouldn't like the effects of drinking a twenty-four pack of beer.

In an article on denverpost.com, John Ingold talks about how the number of children coming into Colorado's largest pediatric emergency department has seen a significant increase since edibles have been legally available. The majority of the kids admitted to the Children's Hospital Colorado emergency department, were admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit. What is worse is that most of the children admitted were between the ages 3 and 7. The values of our nation are at stake. We should be doing all we can to protect our children. The legalization of marijuana was and still is a huge, issue, and now that it is legalized, new laws and regulations need to be put in place to take care of the new problems we are encountering.  The author of this source, John Ingold, is a very credible source for multiple reasons. His work is posted in a credible place, and his work and information is cited from a direct, and reliable source, a hospital. Mr. Ingold covers federal courts and medical marijuana for The Denver Post. He has been doing his job since 2000 and has since reported on many important topics such as law enforcement, the state legislature, famous fugitives, etc. He may have some bias to want to use loaded language to enhance his story for the readers.

 An article on kxly.com, a Spokane news website, Alyssa Donovan talks about the heavy increase in incidents of young children being exposed to THC products. Now that these THC products are available, Donovan strongly suggests to not buy marijuana edibles like brownies, candies, cookies, etc. which children can mistake for a treat. The effects on children exposed to marijuana edibles can be everything from sleepiness and trouble breathing, to seizures, and in some cases, coma. The values and interests at stake in this article are that of concerned parents that want to keep their children safe. Every parents' priority is the safety and well-being of their children, and everything that can be done to keep our children safe, should be done. Also, the interests of the lawmakers and local government are at stake because if they cannot regulate their own laws, it makes them look incapable. Alyssa Donovan is credible on this topic because her work is being posted on a reputable news website for Spokane, WA. Also, the information that she used in her article came from credible sources like the Washington Poison center, and quotes from the e-cig and marijuana prevention coordinator of the Spokane Regional Health District. She may have the bias that is completely against marijuana, and may not advocate any type of sale of it, no matter how its regulated.

 USA today posted an article about kids getting into marijuana laced foods. In the article, written by Trevor Hughes, talks about how the popularity, availability, and advertising of marijuana edibles have led to an increase in children being exposed. One specific incident occurred when twelve students in a suburban Denver middle school were suspended after eating marijuana candies during school. Two students who supplied the candies were expelled. Now kids aren't protected just if there are no edibles in the house, edibles are in the schools now too. Some major values and interests at stake here are that of the educational system and the new issue of keeping edibles out of schools. They do not have the strong odor as marijuana itself, so it is much easier to conceal. Also the parents of the students at risk wouldn't want their children in schools where marijuana edibles are easily available, and some parents may feel pressure to put their children in private schools. Trevor Hughes is credible on this topic for multiple reasons. His work is posted on USA today which is a very reputable news source. Although there may be some bias to make the story "juicer" for the readers. The information that he used in the article came from credible sources such as the Rocky Mountain Poison Center and Children's Hospital Denver. 

This research question is arguable because some may say it's the parenting of the children that leads to edible marijuana incidents. These people may say that the children just need to be watched more closely and taught better values than to experiment with drugs.  People would make this argument because there are also alcohol and tobacco that children can get into, but parents work to keep on top of it and teach their children to stay away from it. Some agreements and disagreements that I have found in my sources deal with the topic of how easily these products are available, and ways to possible solve the issue. Some say that the answer is the make the product recognizable as a marijuana product even when its outside of the packaging, and some say to just not buy it or drastically change the advertising. I think that just the same way camel cigarettes had to stop using their cartoon camel because it appealed too much to children, marijuana companies must restrict the way they advertise their edibles. The perspectives of the sources don't affect my own perspective much. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. One way I may need to revise my research question is by adding some personal reports and how families have been affected specifically. 

