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Back to SearchOttawa — August 14, 2020 — As we approach a year since cannabis edibles were legalized in Canada, CHEO has seen a recent increase in the number of children visiting the Emergency Department after ingesting edible products found in the home.
“This is a problem with a solution,” said Dr. Melanie Bechard, a pediatric Emergency physician at CHEO. “Simple safety measures and talking to kids about the dangers of cannabis edibles can help reduce the number of children visiting the hospital for cannabis-related reasons.”
This year during the months of May to July there was an 85% increase in the number of children and youth visiting CHEO’s Emergency Department after consuming edibles, compared to the same months last year. Also, the proportion of total Emergency Department visits due to cannabis ingestion actually tripled during the same period. While these visits are still relatively low in number, this increase indicates a worrying trend.
In addition, during these months in 2019 there were no visits from children under the age of 13, but in 2020 they made up more than one-quarter (28%) of the edible-related visits to CHEO’s Emergency Department.
“Now that edibles are more likely to be in the home, there is an increased risk children might find them and mistake them for candy,” added Dr. Bechard. “Some of these cannabis edible companies sell their products in packaging that looks so much like well-known candies that it is almost impossible for children to notice the difference.”
In order to stop children from ingesting these substances and potentially hurting themselves, we ask that parents be mindful of where edibles are stored — ensuring they are out of reach and, preferably, locked in a child-proof container. If you use edibles, please educate your children about the dangers of ingesting foreign substances and be sure to mark your off-limit sweets with distinct labels so they know to stay away.
For more information about how to talk with kids about cannabis edibles, please visit www.DrugFreeKidsCanada.org:
Cannabis edibles
Cannabis Talk Kit: Insert about edibles
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Media contact
Paddy Moore, CHEO
o. 613-737-7600, ext. 3536 | c. 613-769-5553 | pmoore@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. Based in Ottawa, CHEO includes a hospital, children’s treatment centre, school and research institute, with satellite services located throughout Eastern Ontario. CHEO provides excellence in complex pediatric care, research and education. We are committed to partnering with families and the community to provide exceptional care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO is a founding member of Kids Health Alliance, a network of partners working to create a high quality, standardized and coordinated approach to pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Every year, CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.