A new analysis reveals a 3,300% increase in accidental drug ingestions among children under six, largely driven by cannabis-infused products that look like sweets, raising urgent safety concerns for caregivers.
A new analysis of more than two decades of U.S. poison centre calls suggests that accidental drug exposure in very young children has risen sharply, with cannabis-infused gummies and other edibles now a major driver of the increase. The report, carried by NBC Palm Springs and based on poison centre data from 2000 through 2024, identified more than 41,000 unintentional recreational drug ingestions in children younger than 6.
The study found the rate of these exposures rose by more than 3,300% per 100,000 U.S. children over the 25-year period. Researchers said the increase was largely tied to cannabis edibles, which can look like ordinary sweets or snacks and may be easy for children to mistake for food. Dr. Hannah Hayes of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a co-author of the study, said the pattern is especially worrying because young children are gaining access to these products at home.
Most cases caused little or no harm, but the study found that about 5% led to symptoms considered life-threatening or associated with significant disability or disfigurement. It also documented six deaths, all in children younger than 3. That mirrors earlier research. A 2023 study found rising accidental cannabis edible ingestions among children under 6 between 2017 and 2021, while a 2017 review and a 2018 case series both warned that children exposed to THC edibles often had more severe symptoms and longer hospital stays than adults.
More recent work has sharpened that concern. A study published in August 2026 found that accidental ingestions of hemp-derived cannabinoids and Delta-9 THC in children 5 and under were linked to respiratory depression and low blood pressure, underscoring the potential for serious harm. Taken together, the research points to the same practical warning for parents and caregivers: cannabis products should be stored securely, out of sight and out of reach, and never left in places such as backpacks, purses or pantry shelves where children might find them. Hayes said the safest option is to keep these products inaccessible when young children are in the home.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
