NEED TO KNOW
- The number of reported cannabis poisonings among children has increased dramatically in recent years, per a new report from The New York Times
- Experts believe the increase is linked to the legalization of edible cannabis in a number of states, along with candy-like product packaging
- While the majority of cases are not considered life-threatening, these instances can sometimes lead to serious health complications
Cannabis poisonings are on the rise among children, according to a new report from The New York Times.
Recently published data from America’s Poison Centers states that incidents of reported cannabis overdoses among children rose from about 930 cases in 2009 to more than 22,000 in 2024, per the NYT. Additionally, more than 75 percent of all poisonings reported in 2024 involved children or teenagers, per the outlet.
Experts link the rise in rates to the legalization and commercialization of edible forms of the drug — specifically the fact that cannabis products are often sold as gummies in enticing packaging.
“We’re seeing a lot of accidental overdoses just because of the packaging,” Dr. Stephen Sandelich, a pediatric emergency physician and assistant professor at Penn State, told the outlet. He additionally said that he has intubated several children who had ingested cannabis products.
“I definitely have seen floridly psychotic 2-year-olds just waiting for the marijuana to leave their system because they got into someone’s gummies,” added Dr. Shamieka Virella Dixon, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., while speaking to the outlet.
While cases are on the rise, most have fortunately not been considered serious. However, the data did show that some cases led to life-threatening complications, such as breathing problems.
Additionally, while there were only 10 such serious cases reported to poison centers in 2009, there were 620 reported in 2024 — 100 of which required the use of ventilators, and the majority of which involved children, per the NYT.
Experts also believe that these incidents are likely underreported due to the fact that hospitals are not legally required to report them.
The NYT report also noted that while the majority of reported cases of cannabis poisonings involve children, older adults have also been affected in recent years.
A study published in 2024 showed that the number of people in Canada landing in the emergency room with cannabis overdoses who are 65 and older increased after the country legalized the recreational use of the drug in 2018. The study’s lead researcher noted that this could be due to a variety of factors, including slower metabolisms and potential interactions with prescription drugs.
Read the full article here
