Marijuana Edibles

A marijuana edible, cannabis edible, or simply “edible” is any food or beverage that contains THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, or cannabidiol (CBD). THC or CBD have been added to all sorts of foods, such as chips and candies, and even drinks. These goods and their packaging can look like well-known brands, enticing children who may not be able to tell the difference between marijuana edibles and their safe snack lookalikes.

Marijuana Edibles Injury Facts

  • From 2019 to 2024, Poison Centers managed 31,797 cannabis edible exposure cases in patients that were 0-19 years of age. That’s about a class of preschoolers each day eating cannabis edibles. 
  • Children can experience a variety of symptoms after eating these products, ranging from drowsiness, confusion, unsteady gait, and vomiting to having difficulties breathing, seizures, becoming comatose and requiring intensive medical care and monitoring.

Marijuana Edibles Injury Prevention Tips

  • Store safely or not at all. The best way to keep your children safe from marijuana edibles is to keep them out of your home. If you do have them in your home, store them in a safe place away from your children where they will not simply come across them. Treat them like any other medications – stored up, away, and out of sight – in a locked cabinet, lockbox, or safe is best.
  • Use them away from children. It is helpful to never use these products in front of your children. Not only could this affect your ability to care for them, but it could also potentially encourage them to copy you and try them as well. While the amount of THC in these products may not cause harmful effects in adults, they are not intended for use by children and, therefore, could be very dangerous for them.
  • Talk to friends, family, and all caregivers. Talk with anyone your child might be around about marijuana edibles and how to keep these products away from your children. Without judgement, you can simply remind them that children are curious and if they find edibles, they may consume them, and it could be very dangerous for them. Remember, you are looking out for your child and their best interests.
  • Know how to get help. Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your cell phone and post it in a visible place in your home. Call the Poison Help Line as soon as possible with any concerns about ingestion. If your child's symptoms seem severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. If your child unintentionally eats a marijuana edible, try to find out what and how much they ate by looking at the edible's packaging. The Poison Help Line provides free, confidential advice from experts, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Additional Marijuana Edibles Resources