In Iowa, a 10-year-old boy and his mother were arrested recently on cannabis-related charges. The arrests came after the boy took his mom’s weed stash and tried to sell it at school.
10-Year-Old Finds His Mom’s Weed
According to local reports, the boy discovered his mother’s weed at their home in Red Oak, Iowa. At some point, he took the cannabis from its hiding place and brought it with him to school.
Once there, he tried to sell it to a classmate. The student reported it to school administration, which immediately called local law enforcement.
When cops showed up at the boy’s elementary school, they interviewed the 10-year-old. After hearing his story, they obtained a warrant and searched the boy’s home.
Eventually, the boy’s 34-year-old mother was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. She was held at the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 cash bond.
Police also arrested the 10-year-old boy on the same charges. So far, there is no word on the boy’s status, but authorities said his case would go through juvenile court.
In Iowa, possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor. First offenses are punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Second offenses carry up to $1,875 in fines and a year in jail, while a third offense can lead to more than $6,000 in fines and as many as two years behind bars. So far, it is unclear if either the mother or the boy will serve any jail time.
Children and Cannabis
All of this comes amid ongoing concerns regarding children’s access to cannabis—especially as states continue to decriminalize and legalize weed.
As a response to these concerns, many weed-legal states are taking steps to limit young peoples’ access to cannabis, and to decrease the likelihood that children will accidentally consume weed products.
Most recently, California announced that it will move forward with a ban on gummy bear-shaped edibles. The new rule will also prohibit cannabis companies from selling edibles in the shapes of animals, humans, fruit or insects.
Despite concerns that the spread of legalization will make weed more accessible to young people, recent stats paint a different picture. The most current numbers from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveal that cannabis consumption among teens is now lower than it’s been in over 20 years.
