Pediatric marijuana ingestions rise more than 1,000%

Pediatric marijuana ingestions rise more than 1,000%, with pandemic and edibles driving surge | Image Credit: © YARphotographer - stock.adobe.com.

Unintentional marijuana ingestions among children younger than 5 years have risen more than 1,000% in the past seven years, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2025 National Conference & Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.^1,2

The retrospective study, Rising Trends in Pediatric Marijuana Ingestions: A Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Department Presentations, reviewed over 2,300 pediatric emergency department (ED) cases from 2016 through 2023. Researchers found sharp increases in exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic, with children most often consuming cannabis edibles that resembled candy.

“Even young children in states where marijuana is not legal are being hospitalized after unintentionally ingesting cannabis products—often edibles that look like candy,” said study author Brittain Robinson, MD, FAAP, of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Study design

The study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric ED in Tennessee, where cannabis remains illegal. Cases were divided into pre-pandemic (before March 11, 2020) and pandemic-era (March 2020 to May 2023). Researchers used linear regression to assess ingestion trends by age group and chi-square testing to evaluate associations between ingestion rates and hospital disposition.

Key findings

Results demonstrated a striking increase in marijuana ingestion cases over time, particularly among the youngest children:

• Overall increase: Pediatric marijuana ingestion cases rose by approximately 40 cases per year (P = .002).
• Children under 5: Cases increased by 1466.7% from 2016 to 2023.
• Age distribution: The mean age of ingestion cases decreased from 15.4 years pre-pandemic to 13.9 years during the pandemic. The 6–11 age group demonstrated the steepest annual growth (R² = 0.86, P < .05).
• ED burden: The proportion of total ED visits attributable to marijuana ingestion nearly tripled, from 0.20%–0.26% in 2016–2019 to 0.70% in 2023.
• Disposition: Hospital admissions to pediatric floors significantly increased (P = .0037), while intensive care admissions remained stable.

Disparities and contributing factors

Data indicated that Black children and those with public insurance were disproportionately affected, reflecting ongoing racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure risk.

Researchers also emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children spending more time at home, often with reduced adult supervision, had greater opportunities for accidental ingestion. “The number of cannabis-related pediatric emergency visits during the pandemic era (2020–2023) far exceeded those from the preceding four years combined,” Robinson said.

Implications for prevention

Cannabis edibles, often brightly packaged and candy-like in appearance, were identified as a key driver of pediatric exposures. Coauthor Nick Watkins, MD, FAAP, noted that many exposures occurred when children discovered products belonging to family members.

The authors recommend a multipronged response that includes:

• Child-resistant packaging: Stronger requirements for packaging and labeling to reduce accessibility to young children.
• Caregiver education: Targeted counseling to raise awareness of risks and encourage safe storage practices.
• Policy action: Broader regulatory measures to mitigate risks, particularly in states bordering regions with legalized cannabis.

Conclusion

Unintentional pediatric marijuana ingestions represent a growing public health issue with significant consequences for children and families. The sharp rise during the pandemic and the disproportionate impact on younger children highlight the need for improved prevention strategies, enhanced public awareness, and stronger policy safeguards.

References:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Unintentional marijuana ingestions rise sharply in Tennessee. Eurekalert. September 26, 2025. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098763
2. Robinson B, Watkins N, Rising Trends in Pediatric Marijuana Ingestions: A Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Department Presentations. Abstract. Presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition. September 26-30, 2025. Denver, Colorado.