Alarming Increase in Marijuana-Related Visits among Youth, Including Young Children
Growing Concern: More Young People Hospitalized Due to Marijuana Use
In a recent study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been found that the number of young individuals ending up in hospitals due to marijuana use has been increasing over the past few years. The study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, examined nearly 540,000 cases nationwide involving individuals under 25 years old who faced complications from cannabis use. From 2019 to 2022, emergency department visits related to cannabis increased among children, teenagers, and young adults.
Interestingly, the study also discovered a significant rise in cannabis-related emergency department visits among children under the age of ten. These findings are concerning, considering that nearly 1 in 5 Americans over the age of 12 used cannabis in 2021, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Studies have also indicated that marijuana users, across all age groups, are more likely to visit emergency departments or be hospitalized. For teenagers and young adults with mood disorders, marijuana use puts them at a higher risk of self-harm, suicide attempts, and even death.
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program, examining instances before and during the COVID-19 pandemic when young people sought emergency care due to marijuana use. Weekly visits to emergency departments among young individuals were consistently higher between 2020 and 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Notably, these visits peaked during the second half of the 2020-2021 school year and remained elevated throughout 2022.
Although the report did not identify specific reasons for the increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among youth, it proposed several potential causes. These include using cannabis as a coping mechanism for pandemic-related stressors and the increased availability of highly concentrated THC products. The pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of young people, and for some, substance use becomes a way to cope with stressful situations, particularly among those who already have a substance use disorder.
It's essential to note that the rise in cannabis-related emergency department visits does not necessarily indicate an increase in marijuana consumption among young people. The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey shows that marijuana use among 8th to 12th graders from 2019 to 2022 either decreased or remained relatively stable. From the perspective of experts like Doug Roehler, an epidemiologist at the CDC's Injury Center, this could suggest that young individuals are using more concentrated and risky cannabis products or that more of them are reporting cannabis use during emergency department visits.
While over 90% of cannabis-related hospital trips occurred in the oldest age bracket of 15 to 24-year-olds, noticeable increases have also been observed among younger children. Before the pandemic, there were an average of 18 to 23 cases per week where children under 10 visited emergency departments due to cannabis consumption. During the pandemic, that number rose significantly to as high as 71.5 weekly cannabis-related ED visits.
According to the report, this surge aligns with a rise in the consumption of edible marijuana products and the resulting toxicity among young children. In June 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert, warning about the accidental ingestion of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis. Many edible THC products resemble popular food brands such as Cocoa Pebbles, Skittles, and Starburst, leading to instances where young children mistake these edibles for snacks. As a result, they may experience symptoms like hallucinations, increased heart rate, and vomiting.
To address this concerning trend, the study recommends that local communities implement evidence-based substance-use prevention programs tailored to the needs of youth during the pandemic. Additionally, adults who use cannabis should securely store their products out of reach of children. Efforts are also being made by the FDA to eliminate packaging that resembles common candies and snacks to prevent further confusion among young people.
It is crucial for young individuals, their families, and society as a whole to understand the risks associated with marijuana use and take necessary precautions to ensure their well-being and safety.
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