CANNABIS POISONING IN CHILDREN IS ON THE RISE
Cannabis poisoning in children is on the rise. Hospitals are seeing an increase in child admissions due to the unintentional ingestion of edible cannabis products. This is particularly prevalent in states that have legalized cannabis.
In many cases the products being ingested are unregulated, meaning that they don’t come from an authorized retailer and are likely to contain many more milligrams of THC than that which is approved by federal and state guidelines.
How does a child get their hands on cannabis edibles? The two most common sources are gummies and chocolate edibles which look almost identical to or in some cases are made from popular brands of candy.
What most people don’t realize is that the effects of cannabis in a child are much more variable than effects seen in adults, and any ingestion of cannabis in a child can cause unpredictable harm.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CANNABIS POISONING IN A CHIILD?
Symptoms can vary from none at all to a coma.
Some children may require a breathing tube and need to be closely monitored in an intensive care setting.
Other symptoms can include:
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Unsteadiness on feet
- Drowsiness/lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Slowed breathing
- Coma
- Seizures (rare)
HOW CAN I PREVENT AN UNINTENTIONAL CANNABIS POISONING?
- Store all cannabis products in a locked box or container, and separate them from regular food and drinks. Ensure that the products are labeled. Remember: #HighAndLocked!
- Be extra careful with edible cannabis, which can be mistaken for regular food, drink and candy
- Always buy your cannabis products from an legally authorized seller
Save A Little Life™ encourages extra vigilance in this area, and recommends that parents have phone numbers for their local Poison Control center quickly and easily available.
