Things We Do for No Reason™: Reporting every child who ingests tetrahydrocannabinol to child protective services
Abstract
Legalization of recreational tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing products has led to increased hospital visits for accidental ingestions. In response, some hospitals require that care teams report all such ingestions to child protective services (CPS). Yet, ingestions of other household products, like cleaners with more capacity to harm children than THC, do not automatically trigger reporting. CPS investigations can cause harm. Instead of automatic reporting, hospitalists should consider whether the child's caregiver took reasonable steps to prevent unintentional ingestion and recognizes the dangers of child-friendly THC packaging. Hospital providers must explore the circumstances of each ingestion to determine which should trigger mandatory reporting.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Poisoning and overdose treatments
Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Hospital Medicine
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1169-1172
- Publication date
- 22 April 2026
- Language
- EN