Marijuana poison center calls in Colorado stabilized after legalization but continued rising in young children
Colorado poison center marijuana exposure reports increased steadily from 2000 to 2014, stabilized after recreational legalization, but continued rising in children ages 0-8, particularly from edibles.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Total marijuana exposures increased by 11.2 cases per year overall (p<0.0001) but remained stable from 2014-2017 (p=0.22), with a 19.4% increase in 2018 vs. 2017. Since 2014, the largest increase was in children ages 0-8 (p<0.0001). Edible exposures increased by 9.6 per year from 2015-2018 (p=0.04).
Key Numbers
2,221 total exposures from 2000-2018. 11.2 cases/year increase overall. Stable 2014-2017. 19.4% increase in 2018 vs. 2017. Children 0-8: significant continued increase (p<0.0001). Edibles: +9.6 exposures/year 2015-2018 (p=0.04).
How They Did This
Analysis of 2,221 marijuana exposure cases reported to the Colorado Regional Poison Center from January 2000 through December 2018 using generic marijuana exposure codes. Trend analysis by age group and product type.
Why This Research Matters
While overall marijuana exposures stabilized after legalization, the continued rise in pediatric exposures, especially from edibles, signals an ongoing child safety concern that regulatory efforts have not fully addressed.
The Bigger Picture
Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis and serves as a bellwether for other jurisdictions. The pediatric edibles trend is a warning that child-resistant packaging and product regulations need ongoing attention.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Poison center data captures only reported exposures, likely underestimating total incidents. Cannot determine severity from exposure counts alone. Single-state data may not generalize to other jurisdictions with different regulations.
Questions This Raises
- ?Have child-resistant packaging regulations since 2018 reduced pediatric exposures?
- ?How do Colorado's pediatric exposure rates compare to other legalized states?
- ?What types of edibles pose the greatest risk to young children?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Pediatric marijuana exposures (ages 0-8) continued rising after legalization
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive poison center data spanning 18 years with clear trend analysis, but captures only reported exposures.
- Study Age:
- 2020 study using data through 2018. Colorado regulations have continued evolving since this data was collected.
- Original Title:
- Marijuana exposures in Colorado, reported to regional poison centre, 2000-2018.
- Published In:
- Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 26(2), 184-186 (2020)
- Authors:
- Wang, George Sam(15), Banerji, Shireen(2), Contreras, Alexandra Elyse(2), Hall, Katelyn E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02904
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did marijuana legalization cause more poison center calls?
Overall exposures increased through 2014 but then stabilized from 2014-2017. A 19.4% increase occurred in 2018. The most concerning trend was the continued rise in young children ages 0-8.
Why are edibles a particular concern for children?
Edible cannabis products can look like regular candy, cookies, or snacks, making them attractive to young children who cannot distinguish them from regular food. Edible exposures increased by 9.6 per year from 2015-2018.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02904APA
Wang, George Sam; Banerji, Shireen; Contreras, Alexandra Elyse; Hall, Katelyn E. (2020). Marijuana exposures in Colorado, reported to regional poison centre, 2000-2018.. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 26(2), 184-186. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043360
MLA
Wang, George Sam, et al. "Marijuana exposures in Colorado, reported to regional poison centre, 2000-2018.." Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043360
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Marijuana exposures in Colorado, reported to regional poison..." RTHC-02904. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wang-2020-marijuana-exposures-in-colorado
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.