AKRON ‒ An Akron Children’s Hospital doctor says pediatricians should discuss marijuana safety with kids and families during wellness checkups just like they talk about the importance of brushing their teeth and getting enough sleep.

Dr. Eric Ligotski is part of a team of doctors who studied the increase in the number of children ingesting cannabis products by accident over a seven-year period.

The team will present its report — “Temporal Association Between Cannabis Legalization and Intoxications in Ohio: A Statewide Poison Control Database Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis” — at the American Academy of Pediatrics national convention on Sept. 28 in Denver.

The report shows a dramatic spike in accidental ingestion of cannabis products by children since 2018, particularly among those under age 5. Among the chief sources for ingestion are cannabis-infused gummies, which look like candy, as well as infused cookies, brownies and drinks.

Ligotski wants the findings to result in some practical applications, such as including warnings on cannabis-product packaging and being incorporated into daily practices.

“We do something that’s called ‘anticipatory guidance,’ just going over some things with the family about safety, such as making sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, making sure you’re getting appropriate sleep, making sure you’re getting your homework done,” he said.

“Also, if there are any weapons in the house, making sure they are locked up and out of reach of of your children. And I think we need to start incorporating marijuana.”

Cannabis is a plant which contains over 100 psychoactive compounds, including THC and CBD. It can be consumed by smoking, vaping, or eating, and has both recreational and medicinal uses. Ohio launched medical cannabis sales in 2019, and voters legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2023 with sales beginning last year.

What does the cannabis study show?

Ligotski said he sought out to participate in the study.

“I jumped on the opportunity because I thought that this was super-relevant in today’s world, and super-relevant for pediatrics in general,” he said. “It was something that can provide some groundbreaking numbers.”

The research team did a cross-sectional analysis of a statewide poison control database between Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2024. It found:

  • 5,387 cannabis exposures between those dates, with 34.8% in children under age 6.
  • Cannabis exposures increased from 313 in 2018 to 1,417 in 2024.

This article appeared in CantonRep