First aid for kids who ate cannabis starts with a call to Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, and 911 if the child is hard to wake, breathing slowly, or having a seizure. Do not wait for symptoms, since edible cannabis can cause delayed and prolonged sleepiness in young children.
accidental cannabis ingestion by children
First aid for kids who ate cannabis: immediate steps
Stay with the child and keep the product package nearby. Poison Control and emergency clinicians will ask what the child ate, how much, and when it happened. If you do not know, say so. The guidance still matters.
- Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. Call even if the child seems fine at first.
- Call 911: if the child is not breathing, breathing slowly, blue in the lips, seizing, or cannot be woken.
- Bring the package: if you go to the emergency department, take the edible or CBD package with you.
- Watch breathing: keep the child in a safe place and check on them often.
- Follow instructions: do not induce vomiting unless Poison Control or a clinician tells you to.
Symptoms to watch for after a child eats cannabis
Young children can react strongly to THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Symptoms may not appear right away. Watch for:
Children Eating Cannabis: What to Do After Accidental Exposure
- Unusual sleepiness or trouble waking
- Clumsiness, poor balance, or trouble walking
- Vomiting or nausea
- Confusion, agitation, or unusual crying
- Fast heart rate or changes in breathing
- Slow or shallow breathing, or blue lips
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
Some symptoms are mild at first and get worse. A child who is very sleepy after eating an edible needs medical advice, not just a nap.
what to do if kids ingest cannabis
What not to do
- Do not wait to see if symptoms pass before calling Poison Control.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a medical professional tells you to.
- Do not give coffee, energy drinks, or other stimulants to wake the child.
- Do not assume a product is safe because it says CBD or hemp.
- Do not leave a drowsy child alone.
When to call 911
Call 911 right away if the child has slow or difficult breathing, blue lips, a seizure, severe vomiting, or cannot be woken. Also call 911 if the child is severely agitated and at risk of hurting themselves or others. Do not drive the child yourself if they are unstable; emergency responders can start care on the way.
CBD products and accidental ingestion
CBD products are not risk-free for children. Some CBD oils, gummies, and capsules contain THC, and labels may not match the actual contents. The FDA has warned that CBD products can have inconsistent amounts and may include THC. If a child ate a CBD gummy or drank CBD oil, treat it as a possible cannabis exposure and call Poison Control.
Prevention after an exposure
Keep cannabis edibles, CBD gummies, oils, and capsules locked up and out of sight. Use child-resistant containers and keep products in their original packaging. Tell babysitters, grandparents, and other caregivers where products are stored and why they must stay out of reach. If a child ate cannabis once, review storage right away to prevent a repeat exposure.