Child Cannabis Overdose Signs: What to Look For

Child Cannabis Overdose Signs

Call 911 if a child is hard to wake, has trouble breathing, or has a seizure. For other signs, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control takes calls 24 hours a day. Do not wait to see if signs pass.

Cannabis and Child Accidental Ingestion: Safety Guide

Common signs

Signs start mild and get worse. A child may act sleepy or drunk. The child may vomit. The child may walk with a wide stance or fall.

Cannabis Edible Child Safety Guide

• Sleepiness that is hard to break
• Vomiting
• Unsteady walking or trouble standing
• Fast heartbeat
• Confusion or slow speech
• Red eyes
• Dizziness

Severe signs: call 911

• Trouble breathing or slow breathing
• Seizure
• Cannot be woken
• Blue lips or face

These signs mean the child needs emergency care. Start CPR if the child is not breathing and you are trained.

Kids Cannabis Edible Symptoms: Signs, Timeline, and First Steps

Edibles and timing

Edibles cause most child cannabis overdoses. One edible often holds 10 mg of THC. Some hold 50 mg or more. A small child can overdose on one piece. Symptoms start 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating. They peak at 2 to 4 hours. Symptoms can last 12 to 24 hours.

What to do

1. Call 911 for severe signs.
2. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for other signs.
3. Keep the child in sight.
4. Do not give food or drink unless told.
5. Save the package or wrapper. Note the THC amount.
6. Tell the doctor or Poison Control the child's age and weight.

In 2021, US poison centers logged 3,054 cases of children under 6 who ate cannabis edibles. That is up from 207 cases in 2017. Most children recover with care. Some need a hospital stay.