U.S. Poison Center exposure cases involving marijuana and selected comparator substances

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Increasing U.S. state legalization of marijuana has led to a rise in associated harms.
• Nearly half of U.S. states now permit adult marijuana use, contributing to increased exposure incidents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the trends, characteristics, and outcomes of marijuana-related exposures.
• To compare marijuana recreational use (RU) and unintentional exposure harms against other licit and illicit drugs.

Main Methods:

• Examined U.S. Poison Center data from 2013-2021 for marijuana RU and unintentional exposures.
• Compared medical outcomes and utilization-adjusted rates against alcohol, zolpidem, benzodiazepines, ketamine, tramadol, hydrocodone, oxycodone, cocaine, and heroin.

Main Results:

• Marijuana RU exposure cases were frequent, often involving adolescents, and generally less severe than most comparators.
• Marijuana unintentional exposure cases surged tenfold, predominantly affecting young children and linked to edibles.
• While pediatric unintentional marijuana exposures were non-fatal, serious outcomes occurred more frequently than with licit comparators.

Conclusions:

• Recreational marijuana use is associated with increasing harms, though outcomes are typically less severe than for many other drugs.
• Unintentional marijuana exposures, particularly in children, are a growing concern, highlighting the need for enhanced prevention strategies.
• Public education and safe storage are crucial for preventing marijuana poisoning, especially among vulnerable populations like children and adolescents.