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Cannabis Edibles and Kids: Signs of THC Poisoning and What to Do

Quick answer: Cannabis edibles and kids are a dangerous mix. THC gummies, chocolates, cookies and drinks often look exactly like ordinary treats, and a single piece can contain several times the THC dose meant for an adult. In young children, eating one can cause extreme sleepiness, trouble walking or sitting up, a racing heart, vomiting and, in severe cases, slowed or paused breathing. Symptoms usually start 30 to 60 minutes after eating and can last for hours. If you think your child ate an edible, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if they seem fine. Call 911 if your child is hard to wake, has trouble breathing or has a seizure.

Why cannabis edibles are so risky for kids

Edibles are foods or drinks made with THC, the part of cannabis that causes a “high.” As more states have legalized cannabis, more of these products are ending up in homes, and more young children are getting into them. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), unintentional poisonings from cannabis edibles in children under 6 rose 1,375% between 2017 and 2021. Two- and three-year-olds made up just over half of those cases.

A few things make edibles especially dangerous for children:

  • They look like candy. Edibles come as gummies, chocolate bars, lollipops, cookies, brownies, popcorn and sweet drinks. A toddler can’t tell the difference, and many adults can’t either once the item is out of its package.
  • Copycat packaging. The FDA has warned about THC products sold in packages that mimic popular cereals, candies and snacks, using look-alike names, logos and pictures.
  • High doses in small bites. The AAP notes that one edible can contain several times the recommended adult dose of THC, and Cincinnati Children’s says a single cookie or candy bar may hold 5 to 6 servings. A child’s smaller body is hit much harder by the same amount.
  • Delayed effects. Because symptoms don’t start right away, a child may eat several pieces before anyone notices a problem.

The FDA reported that from January 2021 through May 2022, poison control centers handled more than 10,000 cases involving only THC edibles. Most involved young people 19 or younger, and 79% of all patients needed to be checked at a hospital or other health care facility. Of those, 7% were admitted to a critical care unit.

Signs your child ate a cannabis edible

Symptoms of THC poisoning in children listed by the AAP, the FDA and children’s hospitals include:

  • Unusual sleepiness or being very hard to wake
  • Trouble walking or sitting up, poor coordination, weakness or dizziness
  • Slurred speech or seeming “out of it”
  • Anxiety, panic, confusion or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
  • A fast or unusual heart rate
  • Vomiting
  • Slowed breathing or pauses in breathing (apnea), which is a medical emergency
  • In severe cases, coma

Young children often can’t tell you what they ate. If a usually active toddler suddenly becomes very drowsy, wobbly or floppy for no clear reason, think about whether they could have found an edible, a vape or any medicine, and call Poison Control.

How long do edible effects last in kids?

Edibles have to be digested before they work, so the timing is very different from smoking. The AAP says an edible usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to kick in and peaks about 3 to 4 hours after it is eaten. Cincinnati Children’s gives a slightly wider range: effects starting 30 to 90 minutes after eating, peaking at 2 to 3 hours, and lasting an average of 4 to 12 hours. The exact timing depends on the product, how much was eaten and the child’s size, so a child who seems fine 20 minutes later is not in the clear.

What to do if your child eats an edible

  1. Stay calm and take the product away. Make sure there isn’t more within reach.
  2. Figure out what and how much was eaten. Keep the wrapper or package and check the THC content listed on it. Count what’s missing if you can.
  3. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7. The FDA says not to wait for symptoms before calling.
  4. Follow their advice. Poison Control experts will tell you whether your child can be watched at home or needs to be seen.
  5. Call 911 or go to the ER if symptoms are severe or your child has any of the warning signs below.

Keep the package handy so you can read the label to Poison Control, and bring it with you if your child needs to be seen.

When to call the doctor

Call Poison Control first for any possible edible exposure. Also contact your child’s doctor if:

  • You aren’t sure what your child ate, or whether they ate anything at all, but they’re acting differently
  • Your child seems more tired, clumsy, irritable or anxious than usual after a possible exposure
  • Your child vomits more than once
  • You have questions about how long to watch your child or when they can safely sleep
  • An older child or teen may have used edibles on purpose; your pediatrician can help with a confidential conversation

When to go to the ER or call 911

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if your child:

  • Is very hard to wake, limp or not responding
  • Has slow, shallow or irregular breathing, or stops breathing for a few seconds
  • Has a seizure
  • Can’t sit up or walk, or is extremely confused or panicked
  • Has a very fast or pounding heartbeat

Babies and toddlers can get very sick from a small amount, so don’t wait to see if things improve.

Halloween, holidays and cannabis edibles

Halloween and the holiday season bring a lot of candy into the house, and a THC gummy can look just like the gummies in a trick-or-treat bag. When you sort your child’s candy, set aside anything that is homemade, unwrapped, in unfamiliar packaging or that doesn’t look like what it claims to be. For more tips, see our Halloween safety checklist.

The bigger risk, though, is usually closer to home. In a Colorado study described by the AAP, parents were the most common source of young children’s accidental THC exposures, followed by grandparents and other relatives, neighbors, friends and babysitters. Holiday visits to other homes, and guests who bring products into yours, are a good reason to ask about safe storage.

How to prevent cannabis poisoning in children

  • The safest option is not to keep edibles at home.
  • If you do, store them like medicine. Keep them locked up or out of reach and sight, in child-resistant containers and in their original labeled packaging.
  • Put them away right after use. Never leave them on a counter, nightstand or in a purse or bag a child can open.
  • Don’t use edibles in front of children, and never drive after using cannabis, especially with kids in the car.
  • Skip products that look like candy or snacks.
  • Ask other caregivers. Grandparents, friends and babysitters should know how to store these products safely and not use them around your children.
  • Teach kids to ask first. Children should check with an adult before eating any candy or food they find.
  • Save the Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and post it where babysitters can see it.

The same lock-it-up habits protect kids from medicines, too. Our guide to cough and cold medicine for kids covers safe storage and accidental swallowing, and our holiday toy safety guide explains the button-battery and magnet dangers that also spike this time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a child eats a THC gummy?

A child who eats a THC gummy may become very sleepy, dizzy, wobbly or confused, and may vomit or have a fast heart rate. Serious cases can cause slowed or paused breathing, seizures or coma. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, and call 911 if the child is hard to wake or has trouble breathing.

How long after eating an edible do symptoms start in kids?

Symptoms usually start 30 to 60 minutes after eating an edible, though some sources say it can take up to 90 minutes. Effects often peak 2 to 4 hours later and can last 4 to 12 hours, so a child who seems fine at first still needs to be watched and Poison Control should be called right away.

Should I wait for symptoms before calling Poison Control?

No. The FDA advises calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 as soon as you think a child has eaten a THC product, without waiting for symptoms. Because edibles act slowly, early advice can help you get care in time.

Can a small amount of an edible hurt a toddler?

Yes. A single edible can contain several times the THC dose meant for an adult, and toddlers are much smaller, so even one bite can cause serious symptoms. Two- and three-year-olds make up a large share of accidental edible poisonings, according to the AAP.

How should I store cannabis edibles if I have kids?

The AAP says the safest choice is not to keep edibles at home. If you do, store them like medicine: locked up or out of reach, in child-resistant containers and in their original labeled packages, and put them away immediately after use.

Will my child need to go to the hospital after eating an edible?

Not always, but many do. In FDA data, 79% of people in poison center cases involving THC edibles needed to be checked at a health care facility. Poison Control will tell you whether your child can be watched at home or needs to be seen.

Related guides

Sources

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your child’s doctor.

pediatricking
Author: pediatricking

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