Cannabis edibles drive surge in accidental drug ingestions among US children

A recent study published in the journal BMC Public Health reveals that accidental ingestions of recreational drugs among children under the age of 6 in the United States have increased by more than 3,300% over a 25-year period. Researchers analyzing reports from US poison centers between 2000 and 2024 identified over 41,000 such incidents.

Cannabinoids accounted for nearly 85% of these ingestions, with cannabis products alone representing 77% of all cases. Cannabis edibles, which often resemble ordinary candy or cookies, were responsible for nearly half of all cannabis-related ingestions. The rate of edible cannabis ingestion has seen a particularly steep rise since 2013, driven in part by increased availability following legalization.

Other substances involved in accidental ingestions included stimulants at approximately 8%, psychedelics at 3.5%, opioids at 3%, and dissociative drugs at less than 1%.