In 2025, Wisconsin recorded 309 calls to its Poison Center about cannabis products. Cannabis edible poisonings in children made up a significant share. Altogether, 68% of those calls involved people under 19. Children aged four and under accounted for 37% of all calls. These numbers have raised serious concern among health specialists, parents, and carers across the state.

Moreover, edibles are often designed to look like sweets or gummies. To a small child, there is no visible difference. That is precisely what makes THC edible exposure in young children so difficult to prevent.

Mistaken for Sweets

Bre Campbell, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Poison Center, explained that young children frequently mistake THC-infused edibles for ordinary confectionery. In many cases, they eat not just one piece but several, or even an entire packet.

“That’s a dangerous scenario,” Campbell said.

Furthermore, the consequences can be severe. Around 8% of edible cannabis calls resulted in critical care admissions. That figure underlines just how serious THC edible exposure in young children can become. Unlike alcohol or cigarettes, edibles carry no obvious visual warning. A brightly coloured gummy gives no indication of its contents to a curious toddler.

Cannabis Edible Poisonings in Children Aged 6 to 19

The problem extends well beyond toddlers. Among children and teenagers aged 6 to 19, THC and nicotine ranked as the fourth most common substances in poisoning calls last year. Additionally, this age group accounted for 31% of edible cannabis calls, comparable to the adult share.

For older children, the issue is less about accidental ingestion. Instead, it is more about access and a lack of awareness. Cannabis edible poisonings in children and teens in this bracket often reflect a gap in communication at home and at school.

A Regulatory Gap That Leaves Families Exposed

Part of the challenge is how readily available these products are. Under current law, hemp products with low THC levels remain legal in Wisconsin. However, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation tested 30 hemp products in the state. It found 18 of them exceeded the federal THC limit. That is more than half.

As a result, a federal ban on most hemp products is due in November 2025. Until then, parents are navigating a market where oversight has not kept pace with product availability.

Nicotine Compounds the Risk

Cannabis is not the only concern. The Wisconsin Poison Center reported that 86% of e-cigarette and liquid nicotine poisoning calls in 2025 involved children under five. Similarly, the conditions that lead to THC edible exposure in young children apply directly to nicotine products too. Easy access and appealing packaging put both substances within a child’s reach.

In short, these figures point to a clear pattern. Whether the substance is THC or nicotine, the pathway to harm is the same. Products left unsecured, children who do not know what they have found, and outcomes that can lead to intensive care.

What Parents and Guardians Can Do to Prevent THC Edible Exposure in Young Children

Campbell’s advice is straightforward. Store cannabis and nicotine products in locked spaces, out of sight and reach. Beyond that, open conversations about the risks of these substances matter just as much. This is especially true as children grow older and encounter them outside the home.

THC edible exposure in young children is, in most cases, preventable. The edibles do not announce themselves. However, the harm they cause is real. It can escalate fast.

Therefore, every adult in a household should treat these products like any prescription medication or household chemical. The packaging may look playful. The contents are anything but.

Source: jsonline