Marijuana legalization leads to increased cannabis poisonings.

Marijuana legalization leads to increased cannabis poisonings.

The Rise of Cannabis Poisoning: The Unintended Consequences of Legalization

In recent years, the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana has become the new normal across much of North America. However, new research finds that as legalization has spread, so has the prevalence of cannabis poisoning. The rates of poisoning have significantly increased after legalization, which has raised concerns among health professionals.

A systematic review conducted by Nicholas Buckley, a professor of clinical pharmacology, biomedical informatics, and digital health at the University of Sydney, analyzed published studies on the impact of legalization or decriminalization on poisoning rates. The review revealed an alarming trend – the rate of cannabis poisoning generally went up after legalization or decriminalization, with an average increase of three to four times. The rise in poisoning cases among children was even more dramatic.

Cannabis poisoning occurs when an individual ingests too much marijuana at once. The symptoms can vary widely, including sleepiness, dizziness, high blood pressure, palpitations, lethargy, a fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and irritability. Children are especially vulnerable, with extreme cases potentially leading to a coma.

The systematic review examined 30 published studies, the majority of which were conducted in the United States (23) and Canada (6). Only one study focused on a jurisdiction outside North America, specifically Thailand. Nearly two-thirds of the studies (19) specifically looked at the risk of marijuana poisoning among children. Out of the 24 studies that explored the impact of legalization, all indicated a rise in poisoning risk associated with the change in legal status.

Interestingly, the degree to which poisoning risk increased varied depending on whether legalization was for recreational or medical use. When recreational use was legalized, the rise in poisoning risk was inconsistent across studies. However, when legalization included medical marijuana use, the increase in poisoning risk was consistently higher compared to recreational use and relatively similar across different jurisdictions.

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Although the review mostly focused on North America, the researchers emphasized that it’s challenging to determine if the association between legalization and poisoning risk holds true in other countries or cultural contexts. However, in North America, the study team suggested that the growing perception of marijuana as safe due to legalization could contribute to the apparent link between legalization and increased poisoning risk.

One significant factor contributing to the rise in poisoning cases is the shifting pattern of marijuana use. With the legalization of edibles, which are marijuana products that are chewed and eaten instead of smoked, there has been a notable increase in accidental poisonings, particularly among young children. Edibles often resemble and taste like regular sweets, making them highly attractive to young people. This marketing strategy creates a higher risk of inadvertent consumption, leading to poisoning.

To address this issue, Buckley recommends halting the production and advertising of marijuana products explicitly designed to entice young users. He suggests that governments should take precautionary measures, similar to how manufacturers are not allowed to produce medications or potentially toxic products that resemble candy or food. Providing clear regulations and restrictions can help prevent accidental consumption and reduce the risk of poisoning.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a Washington, D.C.-based marijuana legalization advocacy organization, supports the idea of implementing sensible regulations that can minimize cannabis-related health risks. He emphasizes the need for better public safety information, consumer responsibility, and accountability to tackle health concerns associated with inadvertent or over-ingestion of cannabis products.

Armentano suggests that consumers should be informed about the delayed onset, greater variability, and prolonged duration of effect of cannabis-infused oral products compared to inhaled marijuana. Special care should be taken in labeling these products distinctly, making it clear that they contain cannabis. Additionally, child-resistant packaging should be utilized to discourage unintended consumption.

Armentano, however, cautions against overly dramatizing the health risks associated with legalization. While some incidents may be due to inadvertent exposure or overconsumption, he emphasizes that the majority of marijuana-related health interventions result in nominal effects. In contrast to hazardous legal products like laundry detergent pods and alcohol, most adults seeking medical care in relation to marijuana use are discharged within a few hours.

While the legalization of marijuana has brought many benefits, particularly in terms of medical treatments and reducing criminal activity, it has also led to unintended consequences such as higher rates of cannabis poisoning. As more jurisdictions consider changing their marijuana policies, this research highlights the importance of adopting safety measures and educating the public about responsible use. By implementing sensible regulations and providing accurate information, governments can help prevent cannabis-related health risks and protect vulnerable populations, especially children.

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