A child died in the emergency room after ingesting hashish, with autopsy showing multiorgan congestion and hair analysis revealing chronic exposure to THC, cocaine, methadone, heroin, and fentanyl.
Pediatric emergency physicians, child protective services, forensic toxicologists, cannabis safety regulators.
Child's hair tested positive for THC, cocaine, heroin markers, methadone, and fentanyl
What the researchers found
The child showed altered walking, balance, and consciousness after ingesting hashish, followed by respiratory failure. Hair analysis revealed chronic exposure to THC, CBD, CBN, methadone, cocaine, morphine, heroin metabolites, ketamine, and fentanyl.
Why it matters
While adult cannabis deaths are extremely rare, this case demonstrates cannabis ingestion can be fatal in children, particularly those chronically exposed to multiple substances. It underscores the need for safe storage.
The numbers in context
Cannabinoids in blood, urine, bile, brain, lung, and liver. Hair positive for THC, CBD, CBN, methadone, cocaine, morphine, 6-MAM, ketamine, and fentanyl.
How the study worked
Forensic case report with autopsy, comprehensive toxicological analysis (immunochemistry, GC-MS, UPLC-MS/MS) of blood, bile, urine, organs, gastric content, and head hair.
What this study cannot tell us
Single case with confounding chronic drug exposure. Fentanyl and ketamine administered during treatment. Relative contribution of cannabis versus pre-existing exposure unclear.
How to read the evidence
Single case with thorough forensic analysis, but chronic multi-drug exposure makes it impossible to isolate cannabis as the sole cause.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
As cannabis legalization expands, accidental pediatric ingestions are increasing. This case, complicated by chronic multi-drug exposure, highlights child welfare concerns.
Questions still open
- Would this outcome have occurred without chronic drug exposure? What storage regulations could prevent such incidents?
Common questions
Can cannabis kill a child?
How can accidental ingestions be prevented?
Read the original research
Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion.
Drug testing and analysis, 17(10), 2014-2021
Citation
Favretto, Donata; Cirnelli, Antonello; Pertile, Roberto; Stimamiglio, Raffaella; Cestonaro, Clara; Cuman, Oriana; Pagliaro, Anna; Mattiazzi, Fabio; Basso, Cristina; Galeazzi, Maddalena. (2025). Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion.. Drug testing and analysis, 17(10), 2014-2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3904
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