Marijauna Legalization Linked to Uptick in Accidental Poisoning of Children: Federal Document

The legalization of marijuana in Canada has been linked to increases in the accidental poisoning of small children, according to a Health Canada briefing. “Various sources of evidence indicate significant associations between cannabis legalization and increases in cannabis-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions and poison center calls,” said a department briefing note first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter. The briefing said that the increases in medical episodes had been attributed to “accidental ingestion” of edible cannabis primarily by children under five years old, where the source of the cannabis is “unknown or illegal.” While Health Canada regulations stipulate that packaging for cannabis products must have restrictions on logos and colours and be packaged in child-resistant containers, many illegal edible products resemble popular candies such as Starbursts and Skittles that are “appealing to children,” the briefing said....