CLEVELAND (WJW) — As recreational marijuana becomes legal in more states, emergency rooms are seeing an alarming increase in unintentional cannabis overdoses, particularly among children.
Doctors at University Hospitals in Cleveland and across the country report a surge in young patients ingesting high doses of THC, often from products that resemble candy or snacks.
“I recently worked several shifts in a row and admitted six toddlers for marijuana ingestion,” one physician said.
Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and addiction specialist at UH, said symptoms of cannabis toxicity can include severe confusion, elevated heart rate, and, in extreme cases, breathing difficulties requiring ventilator support.
Most pediatric cases are linked not to state-regulated marijuana dispensaries but to unregulated hemp-derived THC products, such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, which can be legally sold without oversight.
“My experience with overdoses has almost exclusively been from Delta-8 and Delta-10 products that are sold to anyone of any age without regulation,” Marino said.
These products, sometimes labeled as “diet weed” or “weed light,” are often marketed in bright packaging mimicking popular snacks. Pete Nischt, vice president of Klutch Cannabis, an Ohio-licensed dispensary, emphasized the difference between regulated and unregulated THC products.
“You’re never gonna see a gummy bear or a fruit-loop shape at a licensed dispensary,” Nischt said, explaining that state-approved products are rigorously tested and stamped with THC symbols.
The rise in cannabis-related hospitalizations has prompted action from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is urging lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 278. The legislation aims to prohibit intoxicating hemp products from being sold to children.
Health officials encourage adult users to exercise caution.
“We recommend you start low and go slow,” Nischt advised.
Doctors also stress the importance of keeping THC products locked away from children and purchasing only from licensed dispensaries.
“The best way to ensure safety is to look for the Division of Cannabis Control’s green label and child-resistant packaging,” Nischt said.
If someone, especially a child, experiences a severe reaction to cannabis, medical experts urge immediate medical attention. If breathing becomes difficult, call 911.
Child marijuana overdoses increase
