DENVER- - Unintentional pediatric marijuana ingestions in children under the age of 5 have risen by more than 1,000% in the past seven years, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 26-30.
A Tennessee research team reviewed over 2,300 pediatric emergency cases from 2016 to 2023 and found cases rose sharply coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most children in these cases were discharged from the emergency department, but hospital admissions to general pediatric floors also rose during the research period.
Research authors Brittain Robinson, MD, FAAP, and Nick Watkins, MD, BS, FAAP, said children are typically finding cannabis gummies that belong to a family member or at home and eating them, unaware of the impact.
"Even young children in states where marijuana is not legal are being hospitalized after unintentionally ingesting cannabis products—often edibles that look like candy," Robinson said.
Data showed that those most impacted were Black children and publicly insured, reflecting persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure risk.
Furthermore, with the study taking place in a state where cannabis remains illegal, researchers express concern over the significant risk that remains for pediatric exposure to these products as neighboring states have legalized cannabis in some form. The products may easily be transported across the state line or be procured through informal methods, authors said.
The data also reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as children spent longer periods of time at home with reduced adult supervision and increased chances of exposure to cannabis products.
"The number of cannabis-related pediatric emergency visits during the pandemic era (2020–2023) far exceeded those from the preceding four years combined," Robinson noted.
The authors did not receive financial support for this research.
