Number of children accidentally eating cannabis edibles skyrockets as more US states legalise drug
Hospitalisations of children due to the effects of cannabis skyrockets in five years, with symptoms including breathing issues and vomiting
The number of young children accidentally eating cannabis edibles in the US has surged as more states legalise the drug, a study has found.
Between 2017 - 2021 there were 7043 reported exposures to cannabis in children under the age of six, with over 97 per cent of cases happening at home.
Data obtained by the National Poison Data System showed that in 2017, 207 cases were reported, which skyrocketed to 3054 cases in 2021 - an increase of 1375 per cent.
Of all reported cases, 22.7 per cent of children were admitted to the hospital, with a significant increase in both ICU and non-ICU admissions.
Cannabis products, such as candies, chocolates, cookies, or other baked goods have become increasingly available in the US as more states legalise cannabis for medical and recreational use.
At the beginning of 2017, eight states and Washington DC allowed the recreational use of cannabis. But, by the end of May 2022, this rose to 18 states.
The products, which can contain multiple doses, often resemble snacks that are mistaken by small children as innocuous treats.
Children aged between two and three were at the highest risk of exposure to cannabis as they are capable of opening containers and climbing to higher, perhaps restricted, spaces where these products are kept by adults.
A typical dose is anywhere between 2.5mg and 10mg of THC, the chemical compound behind the recreation effect of cannabis, but a single chocolate bar could contain as much as 10mg.
Since young children weigh far less than adults, the toxicity of the doses is far more pronounced and could lead to urgent medical attention in the hospital.
Over the five years, 573 children were admitted to critical care units and 1027 were admitted to noncritical care units.
The most commonly reported effect of cannabis in young children was in the cardiovascular system, with other symptoms including vomiting, effects on vision, and depressed breathing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that the study showed the importance of “prioritising prevention strategies such as changing product packaging and labelling”.
They also suggested regulating the maximum allowable dose in a package, and “increasing public education on mitigation of household risks” to reduce the number of these incidents.
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