Cannabis

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Children and Families and Community leaders Health Professionals

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Cannabis is more available than ever, as multiple states have legalized medical and/or recreational use. With so many different types of products available, children can be exposed to cannabis through inhaling cannabis smoke, ingesting edibles, or even through the skin with lotions and oils that have been created. The packaging of these products often looks like popular candy and foods. This has increased the number of accidental ingestions among children.

According to the CDC, heavy or regular cannabis use by adolescents can have permanent effects on the developing brain. Studies have found that marijuana can affect young brains and can worsen how well children can do in school. It can affect short-term memory, concentration and attention span, problem-solving skills, motor control, reaction time, and judgment. Exposure to second-hand cannabis smoke may also increase the risk of respiratory infections in children.

If a child accidentally eats edible cannabis, call the free poison control hotline: 1-800-222-1222, or get help at www.poisoning.org.

Children and Families and Community leaders

Many teenagers believe that cannabis is safer than alcohol or other drugs. But cannabis can cause serious problems with learning, feelings, behavior, and health. Parents can help their children learn about the harmful effects of cannabis use. Families can also keep cannabis and cannabis-containing products out of the reach of children and/or in a separate locked container. We do not know enough about the effects of cannabis on infants and young children, so families should prevent exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke. Consuming cannabis when breastfeeding is discouraged.

If your child's symptoms seem severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.

There are several helpful tools for parents:

• Know the Risks of Marijuana (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• If Weed Is Legal, Does That Mean It's OK for Teens? AAP video
• Is Cannabis Harmful for Children & Teens?
• Legalizing Marijuana Not Good for Kids: AAP Policy Explained
• Rise in Child Injury from Cannabis: Not the High We Wanted (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Center for Injury Research and Prevention

Health Professionals

The use of and exposure to cannabis in pediatric populations has risen over the past several years as more states legalize the substance for recreational use. Health professionals are in a unique position to provide parents and teenagers with accurate information and counseling regarding the consequences of cannabis or cannabis use by children, teenagers, and adults. Cannabis products can contain more than 100 cannabinoids, but the most well known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

The effects of cannabis exposure in children varies depending on the type of product, route of exposure, amount, and the age/size of the child. Because edible products may contain high levels of THC, ingestion of these products by children is a concern. Although cannabis smoke is different from tobacco smoke, it still contains many chemicals with known adverse health effects, therefore it is important to avoid all second-hand smoke exposure. Cannabinoids have been detected in human milk; it’s recommended to abstain from cannabis while breastfeeding.

Symptoms of mild cannabis exposure:

• Somnolence
• Excessive euphoria
• Ataxia

Symptoms of high cannabis exposure:

• Increased muscle tone
• Hyperkinetic activity
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Agitation
• Obtundation
• Apnea/bradycardia

Contact your regional poison control center 1-800-222-1222 for children with symptoms.

Chronic cannabis exposure can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. This is characterized by: persistent nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and cyclic vomiting. These symptoms are brought on by cannabis use. Hot baths or showers may improve symptoms temporarily, but ceasing cannabis use is curative.

To download this page as a fact sheet, click here.

Additional Resources for Health Professionals

CDC/ATSDR

• Health Effects of Marijuana
  Information on how marijuana impacts one's health.

AAP

• The Impact of Marijuana Policies on Youth: Clinical, Research, and Legal Update
  Policy Statement on marijuana policies and their impact.
• Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Implications for Neonatal and Childhood Outcomes
  Clinical report on how marijuana's impact during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
• Counseling Parents and Teens About Marijuana Use in the Era of Legalization of Marijuana
  Clinical report with tips for talking to parents and teens about marijuana.

PEHSU Resources

• National Classroom eLearning Modules:
  • Marijuana Use in Perinatal Populations
  • Marijuana Exposure in Pediatric Populations
  • Marijuana Use in Adolescent Populations
• Grand Rounds: Marijuana and its Impact on Pediatric Populations

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Updated August 29, 2024