National Surge in Pediatric THC Poisonings Over the Past Five Years


Over the last five years, the United States has seen an alarming rise in children accidentally ingesting THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what produces the marijuana “high,” and when kids get into THC-infused products, the results can be dangerous. Recent data show that pediatric THC poisonings have skyrocketed. New research recorded a 1,375% increase in the number of young children (mostly toddlers) accidentally poisoned by cannabis edibles since 2017​ web.musc.edu  In raw numbers, cases rose from roughly 200 per year in 2017 to over 3,000 per year in 2021​ pbs.org – more than 7,000 cases in total during that period. Health experts are sounding the alarm about this trend and urging stronger prevention measures.

A Five Year Spike in Accidental Exposures

Several factors contribute to the surge in pediatric THC exposures. The period of 2017–2021 coincides with many states legalizing medical or recreational cannabis, meaning more THC-containing products at home within children’s reach​ pbs.org. The COVID-19 pandemic may have also played a role – with kids stuck at home and parents perhaps using cannabis more frequently for stress, opportunities for accidental ingestion increased. According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, over 90% of these pediatric edible cases happened in the child’s own home​ pbs.org. Toddlers around 2-3 years old were the most common victims, as they are mobile, curious, and apt to put anything that looks like a treat into their mouths.

Alarmingly, the consequences of these ingestions have often been serious. Nationwide poison control data show that nearly a quarter of the young children who ate THC edibles ended up hospitalized – with about 8% needing intensive care for severe symptoms​ pbs.org. Thankfully, deaths have been rare (the 2017–2021 study found no fatalities in that timeframe​ web.musc.edu). However, rare is not the same as impossible. In one tragic 2022 case, a 4-year-old boy in Virginia died after eating a large amount of THC gummies; prosecutors later charged his mother with murder for failing to get timely help​ news.azpm.org. This shows that while most kids recover, THC poisonings can truly be life threatening and require immediate action.

Edibles and Candy-Like Packaging Entice Children

Why are children getting into THC products so easily? A big part of the problem is the form of cannabis products now on the market. Many legal cannabis products are sold as edibles – essentially sweet or savory treats infused with THC (for example, gummies, chocolates, cookies, or even chip-like snacks). These look and taste appealing, virtually indistinguishable from regular candies or snacks to a young child. In fact, some illicit cannabis products are deliberately packaged to mimic popular brands of candy or cereal, which can fool both kids and adults. The FDA has warned about “copycat” THC edibles packaged like Froot Loops, Nerds Rope, Sour Patch Kids, and other kid-favorite snacks​ news.azpm.org. It is easy to see how a child could spot a bag of what looks like gummies or cookies and eat them, never realizing it contains drugs.



Figure: Examples of THC-infused edibles in packaging that imitates popular snack brands, such as cookies and chips. These look-alike packages (e.g. “Trips Ahoy” or “Stoneo” cookies) contain high doses of THC, yet a young child could mistake them for a familiar treat​ eastidahonews.com. Such marketing tactics increase the risk of accidental poisonings.

Another issue is packaging and storage practices. Ideally, cannabis edibles should be sold in child-resistant containers, similar to medicine bottles. Many states do require child-resistant packaging for legal marijuana products. However, no federal packaging standards exist as of yet because marijuana remains illegal under federal law​ web.musc.edu. This patchwork of regulations means packaging safety can vary, and not all products are properly secured. Even when edibles do come in child-resistant packs, parents must remember to re-seal them and keep them completely out of reach and out of sight of children. Unfortunately, some parents underestimate edibles – since they look like food, adults may not treat them with the same caution as, say, a bottle of bleach or prescription pills. Experts emphasize that THC edibles should be treated exactly like any other household hazard: “like household cleansers or weapons – locked away from children,” as one poison control educator put it​ news.azpm.org. In other words, store THC products high up or in a locked box, and never leave them where a child might find them.

Dangers and Symptoms of THC Poisoning in Kids

When a child consumes THC – especially in the high doses found in many edibles – their small body size and developing nervous system make them much more vulnerable to severe effects. Common signs of THC poisoning in a young child include excessive drowsiness or difficulty waking the child, unsteady walking or loss of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, and fast heart rate​ poison.org. Children often become very sleepy or dizzy. They may start vomiting or complain of feeling sick. In more severe cases, breathing can slow or become labored, and some kids have even progressed to seizures or coma​ poison.org. For example, emergency physicians have reported toddlers arriving nearly unresponsive – a few have needed a ventilator (breathing tube) for support​ web.musc.edu poison.org. Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) can also occur in children with serious THC intoxication, along with dangerous changes in blood pressure and heart rhythm​ poison.org.

One crucial point for parents to understand is that edible cannabis acts more slowly than smoked marijuana. The onset of symptoms can be delayed by an hour or more after ingestion, and the effects may last for many hours​ poison.org poison.org. This means a child could eat a THC cookie and not seem in distress right away – leading caregivers to underestimate the exposure. By the time severe symptoms like breathing trouble or seizures set in, the child might need hospitalization. Do not assume a child is “fine” just because they look okay immediately after eating a suspect item.

Real Life Cases as Warnings

Real incidents from across the country highlight how serious this issue is. In one case documented by Poison Control, a 2-year-old boy became strangely lethargic after a playdate and then began having seizures​ poison.org. It turned out he had gotten into his mother’s THC-infused gummy candies, eating enough to receive a very high dose of THC (75 mg). He had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors put him on a breathing machine to manage respiratory failure. Thankfully, after 36 hours of intensive care, the toddler woke up and made a full recovery​ poison.org.

Not all children get that sick, but even milder cases are frightening. In Florida, nine elementary school students were sent to the ER after one child unknowingly shared THC-laced candies at school​acmt.net. And hospitals in legal cannabis states report seeing young kids with marijuana poisoning almost daily. Dr. Brian Schultz, a pediatric emergency physician, noted that during his time at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C., they treated children who had eaten THC edibles “almost on a daily basis”​ pbs.org. These stories underscore that THC exposures in kids are not isolated incidents – they’re happening frequently and in all kinds of communities.

Keeping Cannabis Products Away from Kids & Prevention Tips

Preventing pediatric THC poisonings is absolutely possible with some simple but important precautions. If you are a parent or caregiver who uses cannabis products (or have family members who do), consider these safety tips:

  • Store all cannabis products securely: Keep edibles, vape cartridges, oils, and any marijuana products out of reach and out of sight of children. A locked cabinet or box is ideal​news.azpm.org. Remember that toddlers can climb and explore, so high shelves alone may not be enough if the child is determined.

  • Avoid products that look like candy: Steer away from purchasing cannabis edibles that resemble common candies or snacks kids love​poison.org. There have been cases of illicit THC sweets branded like “Skittles” or “Oreos” – these are particularly risky to have around. Opt for products that come in plain, clearly labeled packaging to reduce confusion.

  • Never consume cannabis around young children: It’s not just secondhand smoke to worry about – if a child sees a parent eating “gummies” or treats and associates it with something tasty, they may seek it out later. Do not refer to marijuana edibles as “candy” or eat them in front of impressionable kids. Set an example of caution.

  • Use child-resistant packaging properly: Make sure to keep edibles in their original child-resistant containers, and close them securely after each use. Do not leave packages unsealed on a counter or in a purse where a child could nab them. If the product did not come in a childproof container (for example, some delta-8 THC snacks sold online might not), transfer it to a secure container.

Finally, educate everyone in the household – including older siblings, babysitters, and grandparents – about the dangers. Often, a visit to grandma’s house or a playdate at a friend’s home is where accidents happen. Anyone who might have THC products needs to know to treat them with the same care as they would prescription medicines or dangerous chemicals. As one public health campaign puts it, “Up and away – every day” is the rule for cannabis, meaning always keep it up high and stored away, every single day.

What To Do in Case of a THC Ingestion

Despite our best efforts, accidents can occur. If you suspect your child has consumed a THC-containing product, act quickly:

  1. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. As noted, symptoms might be delayed. Immediately call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance, even if your child seems okaypoison.org poison.org. The poison specialists can tell you what signs to watch for and whether you should head to an emergency room. This 24/7 hotline is free and confidential, and they are there to help, not to judge.

  2. If your child is showing any severe symptoms – difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, seizures, or incessant vomiting – call 911 at once. Do not try to make the child “sleep it off.” THC overdose in a child is a medical emergency.

  3. Be ready to provide information. If you know what edible or product the child ate, tell the medical professionals (or have the packaging with you). Knowing the strength (milligrams of THC) can help doctors anticipate how serious the effects might be​ eastidahonews.com. If you’re not sure what happened, doctors and poison control can run toxicology tests to find out, so be honest about any substances that might be in your home.

Getting prompt medical advice can make all the difference. In most cases, children who receive proper care recover fully within a day or two​ web.musc.edu. The key is not to hesitate or feel embarrassed – doctors have seen this many times and their priority is your child’s health. As Dr. Marit Tweet, the toxicologist who led the national study, emphasized, these incidents “present an important opportunity for education and prevention”​news.azpm.org. Every parent or caregiver who uses cannabis must take responsibility for safe storage, just as we do for cleaning supplies or medications.

The rise in pediatric THC poisonings is a serious concern that calls for vigilance and preventative action. Cannabis may be legal and even beneficial for adults in many cases, but it can be very harmful to young children if inadvertently ingested. By raising awareness of the issue, using childproof storage, and knowing what to do in an emergency, parents and communities can work together to keep our kids safe from accidental cannabis exposure. The soaring numbers over the past five years serve as a warning, but with proper precautions, we can curb this troubling trend and prevent needless scares for families in the future. Stay informed, store THC products safely, and always “lock it up” – our children’s health depends on it.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on cannabis-related pediatric ER visits

  • Pediatrics (American Academy of Pediatrics) – Study on pediatric edible cannabis exposures 2017–2021

  • PBS NewsHour (Associated Press report) – “More kids sickened by edibles at home as legal pot grows”​

  • National Capital Poison Center – Poison.org guidelines on children and edibles​

  • U.S. Food & Drug Administration – consumer warnings about copycat THC edibles and national poison data​

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