Washington Poison Center sees increase in marijuana related calls

Over the last 10 years, the annual number of calls into the Washington Poison Center related to cannabis and cannabis products has been increasing. This trend continued in 2015 with a total of 272 calls, an increase of more than 10% over 2014's cases.

February 1, 2016 3:02 pm
Marijuana related calls to the Washington Poison Center in 2015 increased 10 percent over 2014.
Marijuana related calls to the Washington Poison Center in 2015 increased 10 percent over 2014.

Over the last 10 years, the annual number of calls into the Washington Poison Center related to cannabis and cannabis products has been increasing. This trend continued in 2015 with a total of 272 calls, an increase of more than 10% over 2014’s cases.

Of the 272 total cases, there were 86 cases of marijuana edibles, 32 cases of marijuana concentrate, and 97 cases of marijuana in plant form. Of those 272 exposures, 46% (126) were in pediatrics ( < 19 years old).

The majority of calls were regarding 13 – 19 year olds who had been exposed to some form of marijuana. They accounted for almost a quarter of all marijuana calls (24%).

Click here for more information about the Washington Poison Center’s Cannabis 2015 annual report.

About the Washington Poison Center

The Washington Poison Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, prevents harm from poisonings by being the primary resource for poison treatment, education and prevention.

Reachable 24/7, the national poison hotline: 1-800-222-1222 will connect you to specially-trained nurses, pharmacists and poison specialists in your local area. Poison help is always free and confidential. Services are available for people with hearing difficulties and in 160 languages.