Cannabis poisoning ER visits increased 70% from 2016-2019, but resulted in fewer hospital admissions and deaths compared to heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and alcohol poisoning.
Cannabis users, emergency medicine professionals, public health officials, and anyone interested in comparative substance safety.
What the researchers found
Cannabis poisoning ED visits rose from 29,050 (2016) to 49,357 (2019), while most other substance-related visits declined. However, when adjusted for use prevalence, cannabis had lower poisoning rates than heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepines, with fewer transfers/admissions and deaths.
Why it matters
This provides important context for cannabis safety discussions. While cannabis-related ER visits are rising (likely reflecting increased use and potency), the data show that per user, cannabis results in far fewer poisoning emergencies and deaths than most other substances.
The numbers in context
Cannabis ED visits: 29,050 (2016) → 49,357 (2019) → 47,655 (2020). Hospitalizations: 12,940 (2016) → 18,470 (2019) → 13,680 (2020). Utilization-adjusted ED prevalence: 77.3 (2016) → 102.0 (2019) per 100,000 users. Lower admission rates and deaths than heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, alcohol.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative U.S. databases: Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, National Inpatient Sample (2016-2020), and National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Calculated both raw encounter counts and utilization-adjusted prevalence per 100,000 past-year users.
What this study cannot tell us
ICD coding may misclassify cannabis involvement. Polysubstance use is common and hard to disentangle. 2020 data affected by COVID-19 pandemic changes in healthcare utilization. Edibles vs. smoking not differentiated.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative datasets with utilization-adjusted analyses, though limited by cross-sectional design and ICD coding accuracy.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, analyzing 2016-2020 data that captures key years of expanding legalization.
The bigger picture
The rise in cannabis poisoning visits tracks with legalization and increased use, but the relative safety profile compared to other substances is notable. This doesn't mean cannabis is harmless, but it contextualizes the risk within the broader substance landscape.
Questions still open
- Is the rise in cannabis ER visits driven primarily by edibles or concentrates? How has legalization specifically affected poisoning rates? Will utilization-adjusted rates continue to rise as new products emerge?
Common questions
Are more people going to the ER for cannabis?
How does cannabis compare to other drugs for ER visits?
Read the original research
United States healthcare encounters for poisoning involving cannabis relative to other substances.
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 1-12
Citation
Conrad, Saranrat W; Greene, Christina R; Dal Pan, Gerald; Callahan, Catherine L; Meyer, Tamra E; Radin, Rose G. (2026). United States healthcare encounters for poisoning involving cannabis relative to other substances.. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2025.2603243
Explore the wider topic
- THC Potency Has Changed Everything: Why Today's Weed Is Different
- Cannabis as Harm Reduction: When Weed Is the Least Bad Option
- Cannabis Legalization and Your Brain: A Decade of Legal Weed
- The Complete Guide to Cannabis Tolerance Breaks
- How to Cut Back on Weed Without Quitting: A Moderation Guide
- Microdosing Cannabis: The Case for Less Is More
- 10 Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (Based on Published Research)
- Sober October for Weed: Your Complete Guide
- How to Take a Tolerance Break from Weed: Complete T-Break Guide
- Using Weed to Quit Opioids: The Complicated Truth
- Greening Out Explained: What Happens When You Take Too Much THC
- How to Help Someone Who Is Greening Out
- How to Avoid Greening Out: Dosing, Tolerance, and Prevention