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Cannabis and Poisoning

Key points

  • Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis.
  • The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products.

Effects of edible cannabis

Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis, including a greater risk of poisoning.1 Unlike smoked cannabis, edibles can:1

  • Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel intoxicating effects, so some people may eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
  • Cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected, depending on the amount ingested, whether they are eaten on an empty stomach, medications or alcohol used at the same time, and other factors.
  • Be unpredictable. The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products. Many people who use edibles can be caught off-guard by their strength and long-lasting effects.

Some cannabis edibles have packaging designed to mimic the appearance of well-known branded snacks and candy that appeal to children. Children who consume THC-containing products can become very sick. They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. Since adult cannabis use has been legalized in some states, unintentional cannabis poisonings in children have increased, sometimes requiring visits to the emergency room or hospitalization.2

Cannabis Product Alert‎

If you use cannabis products, keep them in a locked childproof container and out of the reach and sight of children and pets.


For additional questions, contact your healthcare provider, your health department, or your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if it's an emergency.

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Content Source:
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
  1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: the current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2017. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24625/the-health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-the-current-state. Accessed February 8, 2024.
  2. Richards JR, Smith NE, Moulin AK. Unintentional cannabis ingestion in children: A systematic review. J Pediatr. 2017;190:142-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.07.005.