Medical cannabis dispensary openings increased young children's poison exposures by 52%, but recreational dispensaries then decreased them by 42%
Analysis of 36,161 pediatric cannabis exposures reported to poison centers found medical dispensary openings increased exposures in children ages 2-6 by 52.3%, but subsequent recreational dispensary openings decreased them by 42.4%.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Medical cannabis dispensary openings were associated with a 52.3% increase in cannabis exposures among children ages 2-6. However, when recreational dispensaries opened, exposures in this age group decreased by 42.4% relative to medical-only states. Children 7-11 also saw a 26.6% decrease with recreational dispensaries. No significant effects were found for adolescents or young adults.
Key Numbers
36,161 cannabis exposures ages 2-20 from 2016-2021. Ages 2-6: 96.3% unintentional exposures; 52.3% increase with medical dispensaries (CI 37.5-67.0, p<.001); 42.4% decrease with recreational (CI -62.2 to -22.6, p<.001). Ages 7-11: 82.4% unintentional; 26.6% decrease with recreational (CI -45.1 to -8.1). Ages 12-17: 79.9% intentional. Ages 18-20: 77.5% intentional.
How They Did This
Difference-in-difference analysis of 36,161 cannabis-related exposures for individuals aged 2-20 reported to the National Poison Data System from 2016 to 2021. Effects of medical and recreational cannabis dispensary openings were estimated by age group (2-6, 7-11, 12-17, 18-20).
Why This Research Matters
The counterintuitive finding that recreational dispensaries reduced pediatric exposures compared to medical-only states suggests that maturation of cannabis markets brings better packaging, labeling, and public education that protects children.
The Bigger Picture
This study challenges the straightforward narrative that cannabis legalization increases pediatric poisonings. The temporal pattern suggests an initial risk period with medical dispensaries that is mitigated as states develop regulatory infrastructure including child-resistant packaging requirements.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Poison center data capture only reported exposures, likely underestimating true incidence. Cannot account for all state-level policy differences. Recreational dispensary openings often coincide with enhanced packaging and education requirements. Data ends 2021.
Questions This Raises
- ?What specifically about recreational legalization reduces pediatric exposures?
- ?Are child-resistant packaging requirements the primary driver?
- ?Does the initial medical dispensary spike reflect increased availability or increased product diversity (edibles)?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 52% increase with medical dispensaries; 42% decrease with recreational
- Evidence Grade:
- Strong: nationwide poison center data with difference-in-difference design providing robust causal inference across multiple states and years.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026. Data from 2016 to 2021.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and pediatric cannabis exposure - evidence from America's Poison Centers.
- Published In:
- Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 67(3), 400-412 (2026)
- Authors:
- Steuart, Shelby R(3), Bethel, Victoria(3), Bradford, W David(5)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08641
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis legalization increase child poisonings?
Medical dispensary openings increased young children's exposures by 52%, but subsequent recreational legalization decreased them by 42%, likely due to improved packaging and safety regulations.
What age group is most at risk for accidental cannabis exposure?
Children ages 2-6 accounted for the most unintentional exposures (96.3% were accidental), while adolescent exposures were predominantly intentional.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08641APA
Steuart, Shelby R; Bethel, Victoria; Bradford, W David. (2026). Cannabis and pediatric cannabis exposure - evidence from America's Poison Centers.. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 67(3), 400-412. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70058
MLA
Steuart, Shelby R, et al. "Cannabis and pediatric cannabis exposure - evidence from America's Poison Centers.." Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70058
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and pediatric cannabis exposure - evidence from Ame..." RTHC-08641. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/steuart-2026-cannabis-and-pediatric-cannabis
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.