If a child may have eaten cannabis, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, and call 911 if the child is hard to wake, struggling to breathe, or having a seizure. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before getting help. Accidental ingestion of cannabis by a child is a medical situation, not a wait-and-see one.
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Why accidental ingestion happens so easily
Most pediatric cannabis exposures involve edibles rather than smoked flower. That is not surprising once you look at how these products are made and packaged. THC gummies, chocolates, cookies, and drinks are designed to look and taste appealing, and a child cannot tell the difference between a cannabis gummy and a fruit snack. A single piece can contain a full adult dose, and small bodies react differently than adult bodies do.
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Common situations that lead to a child eating cannabis include:
what to do if child eats cannabis
- Edibles stored in a kitchen pantry, fridge, or candy dish instead of a locked container.
- Products left out after use, or a purse, backpack, or jacket pocket within reach.
- Loose edibles removed from their original child-resistant packaging.
- Leftover packaging with residue that a toddler finds in the trash.
- Guests or relatives bringing their own products into the home.
Warning signs a child may have eaten cannabis
Symptoms can start within 30 minutes or take a few hours, depending on the product and the child. Edibles often hit later than smoked cannabis because the THC has to move through the digestive system first.
Signs to watch for include:
- Unusual sleepiness, limpness, or trouble staying awake.
- Poor balance, stumbling, or trouble walking.
- Confusion, glassy eyes, or a blank stare.
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
- Fast or slow heartbeat, or shallow breathing.
- Shaking, twitching, or a seizure.
Very young children, especially toddlers, can become drowsy and unresponsive. Any breathing trouble or loss of consciousness is an emergency.
What to do right away
- Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 if the child is not responding normally. Have the product packaging nearby if you can.
- Tell them the child's age, weight, what was eaten, how much, and when.
- Do not make the child throw up unless a medical professional tells you to.
- Keep the child awake and supervised. Do not leave them alone, even for a short nap.
- Follow the instructions you are given, and go to the emergency room if advised.
How to store cannabis so kids cannot reach it
- Keep all cannabis in a locked box, cabinet, or safe, not on a shelf or in a drawer.
- Leave products in their original child-resistant packaging. That packaging is a layer of protection, not decoration.
- Store edibles away from regular snacks, and never move them into an unmarked bag or a food container.
- Keep purses, bags, and coats out of reach when cannabis is inside them.
- Ask visitors to keep their own products locked and out of sight while they are in your home.
- Check the floor and under furniture after using an edible, in case a piece was dropped.
Disposing of edibles and packaging safely
Leftover cannabis and empty wrappers still count as a risk. Take unused edibles out of the container and mix them with something unappealing, such as used coffee grounds or cat litter, then seal the bag before putting it in the trash. Do not flush large amounts. Keep the empty packaging out of reach until it goes outside, since a child may dig it out of an indoor bin.
Talking with kids and guests
For older children, a plain conversation works better than a scary one. Explain that cannabis is a medicine or an adult product, that it is not candy, and that they should never eat something they find without asking an adult. Tell them to come to you right away if they or a friend accidentally eats some, so they get help instead of getting in trouble.
If you host guests who use cannabis, set the expectation before they arrive. A quick message asking them to keep products locked in their vehicle or bag, and never on a coffee table, prevents most of these incidents.
Frequently asked questions
How long until symptoms show up?
Smoked or vaped cannabis can affect a child within minutes. Edibles usually take longer, sometimes an hour or more, and the effects can build over several hours. If you know a child ate an edible, call for guidance before symptoms start.
Does a small amount matter for a child?
Children are smaller and can react strongly to amounts that would be mild for an adult. Treat any known or suspected ingestion as a reason to call Poison Control and get advice specific to your child.