Pediatric cannabis ER visits and hospitalizations rose sharply after Massachusetts legalization
Cannabis-related ER visits among children in Massachusetts increased 60% and hospitalizations rose 126% after recreational cannabis legalization, with the largest increases in children ages 0-5 and 6-12.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After recreational cannabis legalization in Massachusetts, pediatric cannabis-related ER visits increased from 18.5 to 31.0 per 100,000 (IRR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5-1.8) and hospitalizations increased significantly (IRR 2.2, 95% CI 1.8-2.7, a 126% increase). Children ages 0-5 and 6-12 experienced the highest increases.
Key Numbers
2,357 ED visits and 538 hospitalizations over 6 years (2016-2021). ED visit IRR: 1.6 (95% CI 1.5-1.8). Hospitalization IRR: 2.2 (95% CI 1.8-2.7). Highest increases in ages 0-5 and 6-12.
How They Did This
Researchers compared cannabis-related ER visits and hospitalizations among children ages 0-19 before (2016-2018) and after (2019-2021) recreational cannabis legalization in Massachusetts, using state public health surveillance data.
Why This Research Matters
The youngest children (0-5 years) showed some of the largest increases, likely from accidental ingestion of edibles. These products may be attractive to small children and are increasingly available in legal markets.
The Bigger Picture
Massachusetts joins a growing list of states reporting increased pediatric cannabis exposures after legalization. The pattern highlights the importance of child-resistant packaging, clear labeling, and safe storage education as part of legalization implementation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cannot determine whether increases are due to more exposures, increased willingness to seek care, or improved reporting after legalization. Pre-legalization period was only three years. Cannot assess severity differences.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are specific product types (edibles, gummies) driving pediatric exposures?
- ?Have packaging and labeling regulations reduced exposures in states that implemented them earlier?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 126% increase in pediatric hospitalizations
- Evidence Grade:
- State-level surveillance data with clear before/after comparison, but cannot fully separate legalization effects from reporting changes.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study analyzing Massachusetts public health data from 2016-2021
- Original Title:
- Recreational cannabis legalization and pediatric exposures in Massachusetts, United States.
- Published In:
- Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 30(5), 437-440 (2024)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05089
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which age group saw the biggest increase?
Children ages 0-5 and 6-12 experienced the highest increases in cannabis-related ER visits after legalization, likely driven by accidental ingestion of cannabis products.
Could the increase be due to more reporting rather than more exposures?
Possibly in part. After legalization, parents may be more willing to disclose cannabis exposure to healthcare providers, and clinicians may be more likely to test for it. However, the magnitude of increase (126% for hospitalizations) suggests real increases in exposures.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05089APA
Argandykov, Dias; Raybould, Toby A; Gervasini, Alice; Hwabejire, John; Flaherty, Michael R. (2024). Recreational cannabis legalization and pediatric exposures in Massachusetts, United States.. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 30(5), 437-440. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-045052
MLA
Argandykov, Dias, et al. "Recreational cannabis legalization and pediatric exposures in Massachusetts, United States.." Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-045052
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recreational cannabis legalization and pediatric exposures i..." RTHC-05089. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/argandykov-2024-recreational-cannabis-legalization-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.