Cannabis-related products are now widely available in Ohio, resulting from Issue 2 referendum that was passed in November 2023. While these products are marketed to adults over the age of 21, there is an increased risk that children could accidentally ingest items such as cannabis gummies. This can lead to very dangerous side effects.
“As more and more states have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana, there has been a definite uptick in accidental exposures and ingestions with THC,” Dr. Noah Sutter said. Sutter, a pediatrician with Maumee Pediatrics/Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has seen an increase in reported cases.
Increased danger
Sutter noted that cannabis gummies are dangerous to children for many reasons:
Visually enticing
“They are in forms that are quite attractive to kids,” Sutter said. “Gummies may look very similar to vitamins or snacks with which they’re familiar, in packaging that is colorful and nearly identical to brands they know.”
Tasty
“They taste good, sometimes nearly indistinguishable from the products they are emulating,” Sutter said.
Prone to excess
“Since children don’t know the edibles contain THC, they are more likely to ingest a higher quantity, which is exacerbated by being smaller than adults,” Sutter said.
Side effects
The side effects of cannabis gummies for children can vary, and may initially be hard to trace to the cause.
“Accidental THC ingestion/poisoning can have many effects on children,” Sutter said. “These can range from symptoms you might expect like intoxication, altered perception and poor coordination to more significant symptoms such as extreme anxiety, panic, dizziness, weakness, breathing difficulty and heart problems. Since symptoms with edibles are usually delayed, it can be difficult to know what caused them if there were no witnesses or evidence of ingestion.”
If a parent or caregiver suspects a child may have ingested cannabis gummies, they should seek treatment as soon as possible.
“If ingestion is known or suspected, parents should try to figure out how much the child might have taken in milligrams if possible. Calling the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) is also a good idea. For any more significant symptoms, parents should take the child to the emergency department or call 911.”
Prevention
Parents and caregivers can take steps to ensure that THC poisoning in children does not occur.
“To avoid accidental ingestions, parents should treat THC edibles like they would firearms or other potentially harmful and dangerous items, locked up and out of reach, and definitely not in places kids would look to find food or snacks,” Sutter said. “Also, keep them in the original packaging if possible and avoid packaging that looks like actual products or candy.”
