Accidental Poisonings

Canada has seen a 6.3 fold increase in hospitalizations for unintentional cannabis poisoning among children under the age of 10 since the legalization of recreational cannabis, according to a research letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study found that hospitalizations for paediatric cannabis poisonings increased substantially across the country. Notably, provinces that permitted the sale of cannabis edibles such as gummies, chocolates and baked goods saw an increase in hospitalizations that was more than two times higher than the province that prohibited the sale of edibles (7.5 times vs. 3.0 times, respectively, from the pre-legalization rate).

Edibles can appeal to children because they can look like regular candy, chocolate, cookies, and baked treats. It’s important to keep edibles stored safely away from children because, even in small amounts, consuming cannabis can cause breathing difficulty, seizures, impaired coordination and balance, and coma. Since edibles look like regular treats, children may also consume large amounts at one time. If your child does consume a cannabis edible, call Ontario Poison Centre (1-800-268-9017) or seek medical help right away. Call 911 if the child has difficulty breathing or loses consciousness.