Project Child Forum: Safeguarding Kids from Edible Marijuana

Community Services for Children recently hosted the Project Child Forum on October 16, 2025, where 65 individuals from local organizations, including CSC, the Allentown Health Bureau, St. Luke’s, and Lehigh Valley Health Network, came together. Our main goal for the forum was to discuss how to keep kids in our community safe. 

The forum promoted collaboration and education among professionals, caregivers, and community partners to enhance child safety and awareness. A significant part of our discussion centered on a serious issue: the risks of edible marijuana for children. Dr. Kevin Osterhoudt, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), served as the event’s featured speaker and shared crucial information with us. 

Dr. Osterhoudt explained that edible marijuana products can look a lot like regular candy or snacks, which can be confusing for kids. This makes it easy for them to accidentally eat these products, which can be extremely harmful and even fatal. 

He taught us about the warning signs to look for if a child might have accidentally eaten edible marijuana. More importantly, he gave us simple, practical tips on how to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Things like keeping all marijuana products locked away and out of reach, and making sure they are not stored where food is kept, can protect children from toxic exposure. 

This meeting reminded us how important it is for all of us to work together to keep children safe. By understanding these dangers and taking simple steps, we can create a much safer environment for all the children in our community. Let’s keep talking, learning, and protecting our little ones!