Missouri Marijuana Poison Control Calls for Children Under 5 Skyrocket by 2300% Over 6 Years

(Smart Approaches to Marijuana) According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, from 2018 to 2023, the number of marijuana poison control calls for children aged 5 and under increased by 2,300%: 

• 2018: 7 calls 
• 2019: 26 calls 
• 2020: 57 calls 
• 2021: 102 calls 
• 2022: 125 calls 
• 2023: 168 calls 

This trend is being exacerbated by the emergence of child-friendly products and packaging. The marijuana industry is developing products that appeal to adolescents, such as edibles that are similar to traditional candies and chips. A toddler is unable to tell whether a gummy bear is a candy or an edible infused with a high dose of THC––the latter may send them to the hospital. The packaging also often uses bright colors and cartoons in an effort to appeal to children. These would entice curious toddlers to open the packages and eat the products, again not knowing they are psychoactive products. While the child is looking at that, they’re not noticing the small THC warning sign on these candy products. As a result, this increases the chances of accidental consumption, which can lead to a child becoming ill.  

Notably, this trend has significantly worsened as Missouri has loosened its laws on marijuana.

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