FILE – Young marijuana plants that have state mandated identification tags are shown in the indoor growing facility of Mockingbird Cannabis in Raymond, Miss., Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
(NewsNation) — A recent study revealed cannabis poisoning doubled across New York since legalization took effect in 2021, according to the state’s Department of Health.
A report found emergency department visits due to cannabis increased over 100% between 2021 and 2024. In 2024, cannabis-related poisonings became the second most common
poisoning diagnosis.
“These findings highlight the growing need for increased public health and harm reduction efforts around
cannabis use, particularly as it relates to safer consumption, preventing unintentional pediatric exposure,
preventing or delaying initiation for young people, and understanding and addressing the racial and ethnic
disparities in health care encounters,” the state said in the report.
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Cannabis-related poisoning ER visits rose 98% from 2016 to 2024
The state’s findings also showed that residents who visited the emergency room for cannabis poisoning rose 98% between 2016 and 2024.
From 2016 to 2023, individuals between the ages of 15 to 19 had the highest cannabis-related
poisoning emergency department visit rate compared to all other age groups in the state.
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“Most notably, visits among children aged 0-4 years old increased 3,736% from 0.6 cannabis-related
poisoning emergency department visits per 100,000 residents in 2016 to 22.9 cannabis-related
poisoning emergency department visits per 100,000 in 2023,” according to the report.
Males in NY had higher cannabis-related poisoning ER visits than females
In the same seven-year timeframe, the state acknowledged men persistently had a higher cannabis-related poisoning emergency department visit rate compared to women.
Rates for both groups rose through 2019 and then declined through 2022, the state said.
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What are the symptoms of cannabis poisoning?
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management says symptoms of possible cannabis poisoning include:
Severe abdominal pain
Persistent nausea
Repeated vomiting
Users said temporary relief from symptoms can be achieved by taking hot showers or baths, according to the department.