Kids Cannabis Ingestion Emergency: Steps to Take Now

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away if a child eats cannabis, and call 911 if the child is hard to wake, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, or vomits without stopping. Poison Control is free, confidential, and staffed 24 hours a day in the United States. If you go to the emergency room, bring the cannabis package or a clear photo of it.

child accidentally consumed weed

Most accidental cannabis ingestions in young children are not fatal, but edibles can cause heavy sedation, vomiting, and breathing problems in a small body. Quick advice from a medical professional decides whether the child can be watched at home or needs emergency care.

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What should you do first if a child eats cannabis?

1. Take the product away from the child and put it out of reach.
2. Write down the time, the product type, and how much may have been eaten.
3. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your local emergency number.
4. Keep the child awake and sitting up if you can, and watch their breathing.
5. Do not wait for symptoms before calling. Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect.

What are the signs of cannabis poisoning in a child?

• Drowsiness or difficulty waking
• Unsteady walking or clumsiness
• Vomiting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Confusion, agitation, or crying that will not stop
• Pale or flushed skin and dilated pupils
• Shaking or seizure
• Slow or shallow breathing

Symptoms usually start within 30 minutes to 2 hours after an edible and can build for several more hours. Effects can last 6 to 12 hours or longer in a young child.

kids cannabis ingestion emergency

Why are edibles more dangerous for kids than smoked cannabis?

A single edible piece can hold 10 mg or more of THC, which may be many times what a small child can tolerate. A young child may eat several pieces because the product looks like candy, a cookie, or a brownie. Digestion delays the high, so a child can eat more before any effects show up.

When is cannabis ingestion a 911 emergency?

Call 911 if the child cannot be woken, is breathing slowly or with effort, has a seizure, has blue lips or fingertips, or is vomiting repeatedly. These are signs of severe central nervous system depression and need an ambulance, not a phone consultation.

What should you not do?

Do not make the child vomit. Do not give coffee, milk, or food to try to sober them up. Do not leave the child alone to sleep it off, and do not skip the call because you worry about legal trouble. Poison Control and emergency room staff treat these calls as medical cases.

How do you prevent accidental cannabis ingestion?

• Store edibles in a locked box or a high cabinet, never in a kitchen drawer or purse.
• Keep products in their original child-resistant packaging so you can read the label during an emergency.
• Choose plain packaging over candy, gummy, or chocolate shapes that appeal to children.
• Count your supply so you notice quickly if pieces are missing.
• Avoid using cannabis in front of children, since kids copy adult behavior.