The marijuana edible industry is growing fast—and so are the rates of overdoses among kids and pets. Here's how to keep them safe

Stack of Organic Marijuana Gummy Bear Candies close up (Credit: Getty Images)

With marijuana now legal for recreational use in 21 states and medical use in 37 states, consumers can purchase THC (the chemical responsible for marijuana's psychological effects) in a wide range of food products, from gummy candies to turkey gravy mix. That can be problematic for anybody who has children or pets.

"When we look at who's coming in for accidental ingestions, it's like three- and four-year-olds," says Phoenix-based pediatrician Gary Kirkilas. "They see something that's highly colored and looks like candy, it's going into the mouth."