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Legalized High: East TN doctors say kids are going to the hospital more often for cannabis poisoning

According to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital, more than 200 children were treated for cannabis poisoning from July 2023 to June 2024.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Medical leaders at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital said more kids and teens are being treated for overconsuming cannabis-related products. 

Dr. Ryan Redman, the hospital's Emergency Department Medical Director, has worked at the hospital for almost 20 years. He said cannabis-related cases are becoming more common at the hospital and younger children are seeing the effects.

He said in previous years, it was rare to see 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds at the hospital for cannabis consumption. However, he said more of them are arriving at the hospital now.

Other doctors like Redman said modern-day cannabis is stronger and more potent than cannabis in the past, making overconsumption easier.

“It's something that we're seeing regularly," Redman said. 

Data from the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital showed that 256 patients were treated for cannabis poisoning within a year. That includes 52 newborns who were born with cannabis in their system due to the mother’s consumption during pregnancy. 

”This isn't a safe drug for somebody who's got a developing brain,” Redman said. 

Doctors are primarily treating two groups for cannabis poisoning: middle and high school students who intentionally consume THC without understanding its potency, and elementary-age or younger children accidentally ingesting it. 

According to East Tennessee Children's Hospital, 32 kids were poisoned by cannabis unintentionally within a year. 

RELATED: Doctors see increase in youth admitted to hospitals due to THC poisoning

“We get down now to the toddler age range—which is one of those things that we never used to see,” Redman said. 

In Tennessee, people can purchase legal THC products like gummies, vapes and pre-rolls. Doctors said the colorful branding may make it a selling point for kids.

Dr. Suzanne Rybczynski, the children's hospital's Chief Medical Officer, said developing brains are particularly susceptible to intoxicating effects — especially among young men. She said overconsumption of THC products can cause a range of symptoms, leading kids to the emergency room.

“Anxiety, distress—even to the point of psychosis. You're hallucinating, you're hearing things, you're seeing things,” Rybczynski said. 

Doctors said questions remain on the kinds of effects modern-day cannabis products can have in the long term.

“Research has shown an association with onset of psychosis and schizophrenia in young men,” Rybczynski said. 

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