Cannabis can pose serious risks to individuals, particularly children and pets, if consumed unintentionally. Safely storing all cannabis products, including homemade ones, is crucial, with special attention required for ingestible items like edibles, beverages, and oils. Unlike dried cannabis flower, which needs heating for cannabinoids like THC to activate, those in ingestible products are already activated, making accidental consumption more perilous.

Over recent years, there’s been a notable rise in children being hospitalised due to inadvertent cannabis ingestion. The risk for children is amplified as their smaller size concentrates THC in their bodies. Accidental consumption often occurs with edibles and beverages, which children may mistake for non-infused products, processed more unpredictably in the body. Despite cannabis legalisation, unregulated cannabis is still accessible, and unregulated ingestible products often mimic non-infused candy packaging.

Cannabis poisoning symptoms in children can vary, encompassing loss of balance, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, muscle weakness, slowed breathing, coma, and seizures in rare cases. Similarly, pets experiencing unintentional cannabis ingestion can display comparable symptoms, with fatal outcomes being possible in significant doses, especially for dogs and cats. Cannabis edibles are not the only risk to pets; they may also accidentally consume extract products and joints, including roaches.

Preventing unintended cannabis ingestion and harm necessitates storing cannabis akin to medications and hazardous household products:

• Clearly labelled

• Up and out of reach

• Inside child-resistant packaging

• Stored in a locked container or cabinet

Homemade edibles, beverages, and topicals should also be labelled and kept in a locked container. Proper disposal of cannabis products, including roaches, is crucial. Avoid disposing of cannabis products in places accessible to children or pets.

In case of suspected cannabis ingestion by a child, immediately call emergency services . Note the time, symptoms, and estimated ingestion amount. Keep any packaging for reference. If a pet ingests cannabis, contact your veterinarian or the nearest animal hospital.