Increase in cannabis-related toxicities, predominantly affecting juveniles
In the United States, the legalization and commercialization of cannabis over the past decade have coincided with a significant increase in cannabis-related incidents reported to poison control centers. This trend, according to experts, is not solely a result of a rise in harmful events, but also reflects greater public awareness and willingness to seek help.
Most states have potency limits for THC edibles, but many physicians argue that these limits are too high, often reaching up to 200 milligrams per package. This high potency, coupled with the commercialization of cannabis edibles, has been linked to a notable escalation in cannabis-related poisonings nationwide.
Children under six constitute a large portion of these reported incidents, indicating a need for preventive measures such as parental education and safe storage. In an Ohio elementary school, for instance, several fourth graders were hospitalized after eating marijuana gummies, which were mistaken for Easter candy. Similarly, in Philadelphia, the city's poison control center has reported that cases involving young children have become almost a daily occurrence.
A high dose of THC can cause sedation, block a person's windpipe, or trigger a seizure that requires intubation. However, it would take a large amount for an adult to experience severe side effects. For a child, far less THC can cause severe side effects, as seen in several cases where children have experienced breathing problems or even fallen into a coma.
Despite the physical effects not being severe in most instances, a growing number of poisonings have led to breathing problems or other life-threatening consequences. At least 38 cannabis-related poisoning cases have led to charges filed against parents and caregivers. In the central Ohio incident, the girl's father pleaded guilty to inducing panic and obstructing official business, and no contest to drug possession. He was given probation and ordered to pay a fine and restitution.
A study published last year found that after Canada legalized the sale of cannabis, the number of emergency room visits among people ages 65 and older shot up. Dr. Laurén Murphy, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist, stated that watching a child in such a state can be devastating.
More than 13,000 of these cases caused documented negative effects and were classified as nonlethal poisonings. The number of cannabis-related incidents reported to poison control centers has sharply increased from about 930 cases in 2009 to more than 22,000 last year.
While the increase in reported incidents may reflect improved reporting rather than a straightforward rise in severe poisoning incidents, experts emphasize the need for continued vigilance and education to prevent such incidents, particularly among children.
- The increased commercialization of cannabis products, including edibles with high THC levels, has resulted in a significant rise in cannabis-related poisonings among children, as seen in incidents such as in Ohio and Philadelphia.
- In the case of older adults, high- THC edibles can increase emergency room visits, as evidenced by a change observed after the legalization of cannabis sales in Canada.
- The potential negative effects of cannabis poisonings extend beyond just physical complications, as witnessed by the emotional impact on caregivers, such as the Ohio father who was charged after his daughter suffered a cannabis- related incident.
