title: Pediatric marijuana exposures in a medical marijuana state.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An increasing number of states are decriminalizing the use of medical marijuana, and the effect on the pediatric population has not been evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the proportion of marijuana ingestions by young children who sought care at a children's hospital in Colorado before and after modification of drug enforcement laws in October 2009 regarding medical marijuana possession.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary-care children's hospital emergency department in Colorado.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1378 patients younger than 12 years evaluated for unintentional ingestions: 790 patients before September 30, 2009, and 588 patients after October 1, 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Marijuana ingestion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Marijuana exposure visits, marijuana source, symptoms, and patient disposition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of ingestion visits in patients younger than 12 years (age range, 8 months to 12 years)that were related to marijuana exposure increased after September 30, 2009, from 0 of 790 (0%; 95% CI, 0%-0.6%) to 14 of 588 (2.4%; 95% CI, 1.4%-4.0%) (P < .001). Nine patients had lethargy, 1 had ataxia, and 1 had respiratory insufficiency. Eight patients were admitted, 2 to the intensive care unit. Eight of the 14 cases involved medical marijuana, and 7 of these exposures were from food products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a new appearance of unintentional marijuana ingestions by young children after modification of drug enforcement laws for marijuana possession in Colorado. The consequences of unintentional marijuana exposure in children should be part of the ongoing debate on legalizing marijuana.
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health, Denver, Colorado 80204, USA. george.wang@childrenscolorado.org
authors.forename: George Sam
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Genie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roosevelt
authors.forename: Kennon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heard
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations