Kids Ate a Cannabis Gummy? What to Do Right Now

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if a child ate a cannabis gummy, even if the child seems fine. Poison Control is free, confidential, and staffed 24 hours a day, and specialists will give weight-based guidance for your child. Call 911 instead if the child is unresponsive, struggling to breathe, having a seizure, or cannot be woken. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before you call, because THC edibles can take 30 minutes to 4 hours to hit.

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Why edibles hit children harder than smoked cannabis

Edibles deliver THC through the digestive system, where the liver converts it into a more potent metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC. A small child who eats one adult gummy may absorb a dose that is many times higher per pound of body weight than an adult would get. Because the child's brain and liver are still developing, sedation and coordination problems can be more pronounced.

Cannabis Edible Child Safety Guide

How much THC is dangerous for a child?

There is no single cutoff that applies to every child, and Poison Control and pediatric toxicologists assess risk using milligrams of THC per kilogram of body weight. Cases reported to poison centers describe serious effects such as deep sleepiness, breathing depression, and seizures in some children who ate adult-sized portions. Treat any known THC ingestion as a call-worthy event, whether the label says 2 mg or 100 mg.

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What symptoms should I watch for?

Early signs usually include sleepiness, unsteady walking, slurred speech, vomiting, and confusion. Some children become agitated or cry inconsolably instead of getting sleepy. Severe signs include slow or shallow breathing, blue lips, seizures, stiff or jerky movements, and loss of consciousness.

What to do in the first hour

1. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and follow their instructions exactly.
2. Keep the child awake, upright, and supervised at all times.
3. Save the packaging, wrapper, or any leftover pieces so the specialist can calculate the THC dose.
4. Note the time you found the child and how much appears to be missing.
5. Call 911 if breathing becomes slow, the child cannot be roused, or a seizure occurs.

What should I NOT do?

Do not induce vomiting unless a medical professional tells you to, because vomiting while drowsy can cause choking. Do not give food, drinks, or milk to a child who is hard to wake. Do not assume a CBD-only product is harmless, since many CBD gummies sold online have been found to contain THC.

How long do symptoms last?

Effects usually peak within 2 to 4 hours and can linger for 12 to 24 hours, especially after a large dose. Many children are monitored in an emergency department for several hours or overnight. Full recovery is typical with supportive care, but breathing support may be needed in serious cases.

How to prevent the next exposure

• Store cannabis edibles in a locked box, not a kitchen cabinet or purse.
• Choose plain or bitter packaging rather than products shaped like candy, cookies, or gummies.
• Count your supply so you can tell instantly if pieces are missing.
• Tell babysitters, grandparents, and houseguests that edibles are in the home.
• Keep the national Poison Control number saved in your phone and posted on the refrigerator.

Calling Poison Control is not an overreaction, and it does not create a legal problem for parents. It is the fastest way to get a clear answer about whether your child needs to be seen.