Cannabis legalization in Alberta increased accidental ingestions by children but not overall pediatric ER visits
After Canadian cannabis legalization, unintentional cannabis ingestions increased 77% in children and 36% in older teens, even though overall pediatric cannabis-related ER volume did not change when accounting for pre-existing trends.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Pediatric cannabis-related ED visit volume did not change post-legalization when accounting for pre-existing trends. However, unintentional ingestions increased significantly in children aged 0-11 (IRR 1.77) and older adolescents aged 15-17 (IRR 1.36). Hyperemesis cases increased among older adolescents (RR 1.64), while co-ingestant use decreased (RR 0.77).
Key Numbers
Study period: Oct 2013-Feb 2020. Unintentional ingestion IRR children: 1.77 (95% CI 1.42-2.20). Older teen ingestion IRR: 1.36 (95% CI 1.07-1.71). Older teen hyperemesis RR: 1.64 (95% CI 1.13-2.37). Co-ingestant use decrease RR: 0.77.
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of National Ambulatory Care Reporting System data for urban Alberta cannabis-related pediatric ED visits from October 2013 to February 2020. Used interrupted time series, incident rate ratios, and relative risk ratios across three age groups.
Why This Research Matters
While total pediatric cannabis ER visits did not spike after legalization, the shift toward accidental ingestions in young children highlights the importance of child-resistant packaging and safe storage of cannabis edibles.
The Bigger Picture
The increase in accidental ingestions suggests edible cannabis products are reaching children despite regulations, while the decrease in co-ingestant use among teens may reflect a shift toward cannabis-only consumption after legalization.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Limited to urban Alberta EDs. Cannot distinguish between pre-legalization medical cannabis access and post-legalization recreational access. ICD coding may miss some cannabis cases.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are current child-resistant packaging requirements sufficient?
- ?Has the edible cannabis market specifically driven the increase in pediatric accidental ingestions?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 77% increase in unintentional cannabis ingestions among children aged 0-11
- Evidence Grade:
- Population-level administrative data with interrupted time series design, a strong quasi-experimental approach.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 covering October 2013 to February 2020.
- Original Title:
- Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabis After Legalization.
- Published In:
- Pediatrics, 148(4) (2021)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03629
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did pediatric ER visits for cannabis increase after legalization?
Overall volume did not change when accounting for pre-existing trends, but accidental ingestions specifically increased 77% in children and 36% in older teens.
What changed about how teens presented to the ER?
Teens showed more hyperemesis cases (64% increase) and less polydrug use (23% decrease), suggesting more cannabis-only consumption after legalization.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03629APA
Yeung, Matthew E M; Weaver, Colin G; Hartmann, Riley; Haines-Saah, Rebecca; Lang, Eddy. (2021). Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabis After Legalization.. Pediatrics, 148(4). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-045922
MLA
Yeung, Matthew E M, et al. "Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabis After Legalization.." Pediatrics, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-045922
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabi..." RTHC-03629. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/yeung-2021-emergency-department-pediatric-visits
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.