Connect with us

Uncategorized

As legal pot grows, more kids sickened by edibles at home

Published

4 years ago

on

By JONEL ALECCIA

The number of young kids, especially toddlers, who accidentally ate marijuana-laced treats rose sharply over five years as pot became legal in more places in the U.S., according to a study published Tuesday.

More than 7,000 confirmed cases of kids younger than 6 eating marijuana edibles were reported to the nation’s poison control centers between 2017 and 2021, climbing from about 200 to more than 3,000 per year.

Nearly a quarter of the children wound up hospitalized, some seriously ill, according to a new analysis in the journal Pediatrics.

And those are just the reported cases, said Dr. Marit Tweet, a medical toxicologist with the Southern Illinois School of Medicine, who led the study.

Cases of kids eating pot products such as candies, chocolate and cookies have coincided with more states allowing medical and recreational cannabis use. Currently 37 U.S. states permit use of marijuana for medical purposes and 21 states regulate adult recreational use.

Tweet called for greater vigilance by parents and for more laws like those adopted by several states to make pot products — often packaged to look like kids’ candies and snacks — less appealing and accessible to children.

“When it’s in a candy form or cookies, people don’t think of it in the same way as household chemicals or other things a child could get into,” she said. “But people should really be thinking of it as a medication.”

Tweet and her colleagues analyzed reports to the National Poison Data System, which includes the nation’s 55 regional poison control centers. More than half of the children were toddlers, ages 2 and 3, the study showed. More than 90% got the edibles at home.

“They’re the ones starting to explore and to get up and move around,” she said.

Of more than 7,000 reports, researchers were able to track the outcomes of nearly 5,000 cases. They found that nearly 600 kids, or about 8%, were admitted to critical care units, most often with depressed breathing or even coma. Nearly 15% were admitted to non-critical care units and more than a third were seen in emergency rooms. Drowsiness, breathing problems, fast heart rate and vomiting were the most common symptoms.

The results are not surprising, said Dr. Brian Schultz, a pediatric emergency physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. He previously worked at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he and his colleagues treated kids who had eaten pot edibles “almost on a daily basis,” he said.

Reports and hospitalizations rose during the last two years of the study, during the COVID-19 pandemic. More children were at home, with more opportunities to find pot treats, Tweet said. With marijuana more widely legal, parents may have felt less stigma seeking help from poison centers and health care providers, she added.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Uncategorized

We’re Back: A Note to Our Readers After Website Updates

Published

3 weeks ago

on

September 24, 2026

By

To our readers, we apologize for our recent absence.

Our website underwent construction and technical updates, which temporarily prevented us from publishing and, unfortunately, from notifying our readers about the work ahead of time. We understand that the lack of communication may have been confusing, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience.

The good news is that we’re back online. Our team has completed the necessary work, and this page is once again available to our readers.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we worked behind the scenes. Thank you for continuing to visit, read, and support our website.

Welcome back — and thank you for being here.

— The Editorial Team

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

All American Pet Day Honors Beloved Pets and Shelter Animals Waiting for Homes

Published

3 months ago

on

July 11, 2026

By

A day to honor beloved pets while remembering the animals still waiting for homes like “Cookie”. Would someone please adopt her!

Pets have a special way of becoming part of the family. They greet us at the door, offer comfort on difficult days, bring joy through simple moments and remind us of the importance of kindness and companionship.

Today, on All American Pet Day, pet owners across the country are celebrating the dogs, cats and other animals that have become cherished members of their households. The observance is also an opportunity to recognize the countless animals in shelters that are still waiting for a place to call home.

Every year, shelters and rescue organizations care for animals in need of safety, medical attention and a second chance. Many of these pets are loving, loyal companions who simply have not yet found the right family. Some have been overlooked because of their age, size, breed, or because they may need extra patience and understanding after difficult experiences.

Shelter workers and volunteers often say that one of the most rewarding moments is watching an animal who has spent months or even years waiting finally walk out the door with a new family.

Adopting a pet is a commitment, but for those who are ready, it can be life-changing for both the animal and the adopter. Many shelters also offer opportunities to foster, volunteer, donate supplies or simply share information about animals looking for homes.

For those who already have pets, All American Pet Day is a reminder to celebrate the bond they share. A walk around the neighborhood, extra playtime, a favorite treat or a visit to the veterinarian are all ways to show appreciation for the animals who give so much unconditional love.

And for those considering adding a pet to their family, local shelters are filled with animals waiting for someone to see their potential.

Whether they have been with us for years or are still waiting behind a kennel door, every pet deserves compassion, care and a chance to be loved.

Continue Reading

Trending