In the United States, since 2009, profound changes in federal cannabis policy have been made. This study reviews trends in reported cannabis exposures to children in light of those policy changes.

There was an increase of more than 6000% in reported pediatric exposures to cannabis in the United States between 2009 and 2024 in both the under-6 and the 6–12 years age groups. This rise is temporally associated with changes in federal cannabis policy that began in 2009. Because of the negative effects on children’s health, public health policy adjustments are warranted.

Bringing hemp-derived products (e.g., delta-8 THC) under regulation, improving child-resistant packaging, further limiting the maximum THC per edible package, and investigating the causes of surging exposures are reasonable steps toward reducing risk. The wisdom of allowing commercial marketing of flavored, sweetened, edible cannabis products that appeal to children should be reconsidered.

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To learn more, visit: US Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brain>>