The rising trend of cannabis exposure among children in North Carolina is raising concerns among health experts. According to data from North Carolina Poison Control, obtainable through WCNC, there were more than 1,100 calls concerning children who came into contact with cannabis in 2024. This reflects a significant increase from the 518 reported incidents in 2020. Strikingly, 42% of last year's calls involved a child under 13, compared to just 27% in the earlier report.
Further information from WCCB Charlotte notes that the total number of cannabis exposure cases, precisely 1,122 in 2024, once again underscores the gravity of the situation. Health officials are urging parents and guardians to be increasingly vigilant in order to prevent children from accidentally ingesting cannabis products, which they can easily mistake for regular food items due to often appealing packaging.
In anticipation of National Poison Prevention Week on March 16-22, NC Poison Control has issued a critical reminder for the public. "Cannabis containing products should be stored securely away from children, just like medications," Alexa Steverson, NC Poison Control’s Manager of Communications & Content Development, emphasized in a statement released to WECT. She pointed out that children are particularly at risk because they are drawn to the appealing packaging and can mistake these edible cannabis products for familiar snacks.
If a child is suspected to have been exposed to a cannabis product, NC Poison Control advises to immediately call for help at 1-800-222-1222. This alert comes at a crucial time as incidents continue to rise, and prevention strategies are more important than ever to ensure children's safety from accidental cannabis ingestion.
