Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Children’s Hospital reported that Ohio is on track to witness a 49% rise in marijuana exposure for children by 2023, even before dispensaries began selling it recreationally.
In 2023, Ohio Poison Centers received 234 reports of edible exposure instances for children under the age of six. Already in 2024, Ohio Poison Centers have treated 204 cannabis edible exposures in this age category.
“I was a disaster. I’m still emotional about it. Just watching your child defenseless in that condition is awful.”
A Columbus mother who requested anonymity to protect her child believed her family’s tale was too important not to tell.
In March 2023, she reported receiving an unexpected phone call. Her 7-year-old son, who attended Fairwood Elementary School, was brought to the hospital after testing positive for marijuana intoxication.
“I got a call from the school while I was at work saying that something was wrong with him, and they are transporting him to the hospital,” she told me. “When I got to the hospital, he was getting taken off the ambulance, and he was so out of it.”
At the time of the incident, Columbus City Schools informed ABC 6 that the cannabis gummies originated from another student at the school.
The young boy’s mother stated that her son ate four gummies without recognizing what he was consuming.
“That’s a lot for anybody,” she replied. “That’s too much for a 7-year-old. He was throwing up and losing control of his body.” Dr. Hannah Hays, Chief of Toxicology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, stated the staff is caring for children who have been exposed to cannabis numerous times each week.
“With increased access comes increased exposures,” Hays said. “I’m most concerned about our very young children.” Especially our children under six, who may confuse these things for food.”
Hays stated that in severe situations, children who consume gummies may endure convulsions or respiratory collapse, necessitating ventilator care. Corey Stroud, Director of Operations for Accel Schools, stated that the school has a zero-tolerance drug policy.
“They could be thinking, innocently, that this is just candy, and they are bringing it to school,” Stroud told me. “But we have a zero-tolerance policy for any illegal substance, unfortunately, even if it was a mistake.”
Stroud stated that while Accel Schools’ drug rules have not changed, their personnel must be more watchful in light of the recent legalization of recreational marijuana.
According to Stroud, parents play an important role in ensuring that things that appear to be candy do not make their way into schools.
“If they can have these hard conversations at home, it makes it easier to have those conversations with students at the school,” Stroud told me. “The better the relationships are between schools and families, the better off students will be.”
The mother of the 7-year-old kid said she is relieved her son is safe, but she has had to have some difficult chats with him to ensure his safety.
“For seven years of his life, he’s been taught sharing, sharing, sharing, and now we have to remind him that not everything is good for you and unless it’s coming from a teacher or parent, you shouldn’t take it,” according to Mom.