Accidental ingestion of cannabis products by young children is causing a sharp rise in hospitalizations across Michigan. Doctors are alarmed by the severity of cases, with many kids arriving at emergency rooms unresponsive or struggling to breathe.
Emergency Rooms See Troubling Trends
Over 400 children under the age of 6 visited Michigan emergency departments between 2020 and 2022 after ingesting marijuana products. Of these, more than 80 required critical care.
The rise coincides with the opening of legal recreational marijuana dispensaries, which often sell edibles resembling candy or cookies.
“Many of these products look like gummy bears or chocolates,” explained Dr. Erica Michiels, chair of pediatrics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. “For a small child, consuming even one of these can result in a massive overdose.”
How Cannabis Affects Small Children
Ingesting potent cannabis products can have severe effects on young children, including:
- Slow or dangerously fast heart rates
- Respiratory depression, sometimes requiring intubation
- Seizures
- Intense lethargy or unresponsiveness
Symptoms often mimic life-threatening conditions, leading to extensive medical testing, including CT scans, before THC exposure is identified.
“These kids arrive looking critically ill,” Michiels said. “They require resuscitative efforts that we didn’t see before marijuana was legalized in Michigan.”
Rising Numbers Across Michigan and Beyond
Reports of accidental cannabis ingestion have surged by 74% in Michigan since dispensaries became legal. The Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center recorded more than 230 hospitalizations for cannabis exposure in children under 6 during the first two full years of legalization.
This local trend reflects a broader national issue. A study analyzing the National Poison Data System found a 1,000% increase in pediatric cannabis exposures between 2017 and 2021. In 2021 alone, over 3,000 cases were reported, many requiring critical care.
The Hidden Risks of Edibles
Modern marijuana products are more potent than ever, with high concentrations of THC in small servings. For a child, consuming even a single edible can result in toxic levels of the psychoactive compound.
“Potency has increased significantly,” said Varun Vohra, clinical toxicologist at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. “It doesn’t take much to reach a toxic threshold for kids.”
What Doctors Are Seeing in Hospitals
While many children recover with fluids and monitoring, some cases require intensive care lasting days. Severe cases include respiratory depression and seizures, and doctors warn that fatalities could occur without timely medical intervention.
“I would say that kids can die from this if they don’t get medical support,” Michiels said.
A Call for Awareness
Many parents remain unaware of the risks. Doctors emphasize the need for secure storage of marijuana products to prevent accidental ingestion.
“Most parents would say, ‘I had no idea this could be so serious,’” Michiels added. “Locking up these products can prevent a tragedy.”
