A groundbreaking study from Akron Children’s Hospital has revealed alarming new trends in accidental exposure to edible cannabis products among very young children. Dr. Eric Ligotski, a pediatric resident at the hospital, co-authored the six-year study and is preparing to present the findings at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ national conference later this month.
The research shows that since recreational marijuana became legal in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, calls to poison control centers for cannabis intoxication have risen dramatically. Dr. Ligotski said his team expected to see some increase in accidental exposures, but the scale was surprising. In particular, the number of children aged zero to five accidentally ingesting edible cannabis products jumped by twelve times between 2018 and 2023.
Dr. Ligotski noted that most of these incidents occur in homes, where young children mistake edible cannabis products—often packaged like candy—for regular sweets. Because they don’t understand what’s inside, they may eat more than one dose, dramatically increasing the risk of intoxication. This underscores the importance of treating cannabis edibles with the same caution as potentially dangerous household items.
“These are candies that children like to eat, and they do not know what’s in these products,” Dr. Ligotski explained. “We need to treat this product just like we treat any weapons in the house.” His comparison highlights the need for strict storage and labeling practices to prevent unintentional cannabis consumption by minors.
The study’s findings arrive at a time when many states are still fine-tuning their cannabis regulations. While legalization has opened new markets for adults, it has also raised public health concerns about how products are packaged, marketed, and stored. Dr. Ligotski hopes his research will lead to stronger safety measures at both the state and federal levels, including possible changes to how the FDA regulates edible cannabis products.
If the United States continues to expand access to recreational cannabis, Dr. Ligotski believes public education will be essential. Parents and caregivers need clear guidance on how to store and handle cannabis in the home, while lawmakers must consider stricter child-resistant packaging and clearer warning labels.
The Akron study is a critical reminder that as cannabis becomes more common in households, safeguarding children must remain a top priority. By learning from these findings, states can craft policies that balance the benefits of legal cannabis with the responsibility to protect public health—especially the youngest and most vulnerable.
