These instructions are for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients to learn more about hemp products and CHOP’s policy on the use of hemp products.

Important information:

What is hemp?

The 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as any part of the plant species Cannabis sativa L., that contains no more than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Under this bill, hemp products were removed from Schedule I of the Federal Controlled Substance Act. A substance with no value as medicine and high chance of abuse are listed as Schedule I. Hemp products are not considered marijuana.

What are the risks?

Only a few cannabis products have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and require a prescription. Most products containing marijuana or cannabis-derived compounds (either plant-based or synthetic) are not approved as safe or effective for use in children or adults. This means that we cannot be sure about the quality, safety, and effectiveness of any hemp product that is not FDA approved.

Please note the FDA has issued several warning letters to companies that market unapproved products that reportedly contain cannabidiol (CBD). As part of these actions, the FDA has tested the chemical content in some of the products. Many were found to not contain the levels of CBD they claimed. We recommend checking the FDA website to see if a warning letter has been issued related to the product you are using.

Side effects of hemp include blurry vision, changes in mood, decreased coordination, dizziness, dry eyes, dry mouth, headaches, light-headedness, trouble thinking clearly, decreased coordination, hallucinations, memory loss, liver failure, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, heart attack, seizures, and stroke.

What is the difference between hemp, medical marijuana, THC and CBD?

• Hemp products are from a cannabis plant and legally contain no more than 0.3% THC. Medical marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC.
• THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high” sensation.
• CBD is another chemical compound naturally found in the cannabis sativa plant. CBD can come from either marijuana or hemp.

CHOP’s policy on the use of hemp products

The FDA does not regulate the manufacturing of hemp products. Hemp is not FDA-approved and it cannot be guaranteed to be safe or effective, especially in children. Safety is a priority at CHOP; therefore, the use of hemp products is discouraged for our hospitalized patients.

If you feel strongly that your child should continue to receive hemp product(s) at CHOP, we will ask you to review the information in this document and discuss any questions you have with your child’s healthcare team. If they agree to continue use of the hemp product while your child is hospitalized, you will be responsible for supplying the product and giving it to your child.

Instructions for use of hemp products brought from home:

• You must notify your child’s nurse when you give the hemp product so the nurse can observe and document the hemp product was given.
• When your child is discharged, you must take the hemp product home with you.
• If you will not be giving your child the hemp product during their treatment at CHOP, you must take the product home.
• You will be required to sign a form stating you agree with and understand the above information. This form also includes a waiver and release, acknowledging that you – and not CHOP – are responsible for any outcomes related to your child’s use of the hemp products.

Questions

If you have any questions about the safety and effectiveness of hemp products, please ask your child’s healthcare team.

If you have any questions about your child’s health, please contact your child’s healthcare provider. This document is intended only to provide general educational information and is not intended as medical advice or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider prior to use, as some of this information may need to be adapted for your child’s specific needs. It is the responsibility of your healthcare provider to advise you on the appropriate use of this information. If you/your child are not already a CHOP patient, this document does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you/your child and CHOP. CHOP is not responsible for any outcomes you/your child might experience from your use of this document. This document is provided "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, express or implied. If this document refers to any drugs or medical devices, it is the responsibility of your healthcare provider to check the FDA status prior to use. If this document includes references to drug dosing, please do not rely on this document. Your healthcare provider should check the package insert for each drug before use. Hyperlinks used within this document may not be translated into other languages.

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