British Columbia poison control data showed cannabis-related calls for children under 10 doubled after legalization, with edibles accounting for most pediatric exposures post-legalization.
Pediatricians, poison control specialists, cannabis regulators, and parents.
What the researchers found
Cannabis-related poison control calls for children <10 increased from an average of 12/year pre-legalization to 25/year post-legalization. Edibles were involved in 72% of post-legalization pediatric calls vs. 18% pre-legalization. Most children experienced mild-moderate symptoms. No deaths were reported. Teen calls (13-17) did not significantly increase.
Why it matters
Cannabis legalization has consistently been associated with increased pediatric exposures, primarily from edibles. This Canadian data confirms the US pattern and underscores the need for child-resistant packaging and storage education.
The numbers in context
12/year to 25/year in children <10; edibles: 18% to 72% of pediatric calls; teens not significantly affected; no deaths reported.
How the study worked
Retrospective analysis of British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre data from 2013-2023, spanning pre-legalization (2013-2018) and post-legalization (2019-2023) periods.
What this study cannot tell us
Poison control calls underestimate true exposures. Cannot determine severity beyond what is reported to poison control. Pre-legalization cannabis use may be underreported. No long-term outcome data.
How to read the evidence
Population-level poison control data provides reliable trend information, though it underestimates true exposure rates.
When this study was published
2025 analysis of BC poison control data spanning 2013-2023.
The bigger picture
Every jurisdiction that has legalized cannabis has seen increased pediatric exposures from edibles. The BC data adds to the case for stronger packaging regulations and parent education as essential components of legalization policy.
Questions still open
- Have child-resistant packaging regulations reduced pediatric exposures in jurisdictions that implemented them?
- Should edible cannabis products have additional restrictions beyond packaging?
Common questions
Did legalization increase cannabis poisoning in children?
Are cannabis edibles dangerous for children?
Read the original research
Impact of legalization on cannabis exposure calls to the British Columbia Poison Control Centre.
Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique
Citation
Trieu, Jeffrey; Dobbin, Nina; Henderson, Sarah B; McVea, David. (2025). Impact of legalization on cannabis exposure calls to the British Columbia Poison Control Centre.. Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-025-01022-8