CBD scare sends four YMCA campers to hospital

Jack Perry, Providence Journal

COVENTRY − Four girls from a YMCA summer camp were taken to a hospital Thursday out of concern that they ate gummies containing CBD.

Members of the Western Coventry Fire District

Camp Westwood

Hasbro Children's Hospital

YMCA staff immediately contacted emergency medical services after being told the campers might have consumed CBD, said Jeff Merhige, CEO of the YMCA of Pawtucket, which runs the camp.

"Yesterday at Camp Westwood, it was brought to the attention of a counselor that while in the bathroom, a camper gave gummies to several fellow campers," Merhige said in a statement.

"Since counselors do not accompany campers into bathroom stalls, our counselor learned of this event when campers came out of the bathroom and announced that they believed they had consumed gummies that included CBD," he said.

Merhige said the campers were taken to the hospital for medical observation. He believes all were released from the hospital.

What is CBD?

CBD is a chemical found in marijuana, but it "doesn't contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high," the Mayo Clinic says online.

"While CBD is being studied as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and anxiety, research supporting the drug's benefits is still limited," the Mayo Clinic says.

"CBD use also carries some risks. Though it's often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medications you're taking, such as blood thinners," the Mayo Clinic says.

CBD can be legally purchased in Rhode Island by people over 18. The Coventry Police Department was at the camp Thursday and confirmed that it's investigating.

Merhige said, "We are continuing to monitor this situation, and commend our staff for being proactive in this incident."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: CBD scare sends four YMCA campers to hospital