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Decriminalization of Cannabis – potential risks for children?
Author(s) -
Amirav Israel,
Luder Anthony,
Viner Yuri,
Finkel Martin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.02081.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cannabis , legalization , ingestion , toddler , decriminalization , coma (optics) , pediatrics , environmental health , psychiatry , developmental psychology , criminology , psychology , physics , sociology , optics
The legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes is becoming increasingly widespread worldwide. The anticipated growing ease of access to cannabis may create an increased risk for passive and/or active ingestion by children. We report a case of a 1.5‐year‐old infant who presented with unexplained coma that was later proved to be associated with the ingestion of cannabis. This case highlights the importance of considering cannabis ingestion in the differential diagnosis of infantile and toddler coma and the need for public education regarding the risks of childhood exposure in the light of the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes and its greater availability.