Discover how Oklahoma has seen more marijuana-related poison exposures since medical marijuana legalization.

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This is The Drug Report’s ([link removed]) Friday Fact report - Sharp Increase in Reports of Marijuana Exposures Since Medical Marijuana Legalization in Oklahoma
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Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018, which has been associated with an increase in the number of marijuana-related exposure reports to the Oklahoma Poison Center. Oklahoma Watch ([link removed]) reported, “In 2022, 583 cases of accidental marijuana consumption were reported to the Oklahoma Poison Center. Almost half involved a child under 6 and most involved edibles.” Citing data from the Oklahoma Poison Center, they provided the following breakdowns:
* 2018: 81
+ 0-5 years: 13
+ 6-19 years: 25
+ 20+ years: 43

* 2019: 237
+ 0-5 years: 55
+ 6-19 years: 76
+ 20+ years: 106

* 2020: 433
+ 0-5 years: 140
+ 6-19 years: 124
+ 20+ years: 169

* 2021: 438
+ 0-5 years: 196
+ 6-19 years: 120
+ 20+ years: 122

* 2022: 583
+ 0-5 years: 269
+ 6-19 years: 175
+ 20+ years: 139


Between 2018, when Oklahoma voted to legalize medical marijuana, and 2022, the number of marijuana exposures reported to the Oklahoma Poison Center increased by 1969% among 0–5-year-olds, by 600% among 6–19-year-olds, and by 223% among those 20 or older. Of note, these are likely underestimates because many exposures likely go unreported.


This trend isn’t new. From 2018 to 2023, Missouri saw the number of marijuana poison calls for children aged 5 and under increase by 2,300% ([link removed]) , and from 2020 to 2023, 3-year-olds in Illinois had an increase of 103.7% in marijuana edible exposures after legalization ([link removed]) .


These issues are exacerbated by the development of increasingly attractive marijuana products by the profit-driven marijuana industry. THC-infused products are made to look like traditional candies, cookies, and drinks, which can be inadvertently eaten by a toddler.


To help visualize the extent of this situation nationwide, SAM created an interactive map showing instances of THC hospitalizations and ED visits reported in local news outlets. The map shows any THC-related story, including Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC. Click here to view the map ([link removed]) .
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Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) ([link removed]) is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. We are professionals working in mental health and public health. We are bipartisan. We are medical doctors, lawmakers, treatment providers, preventionists, teachers, law enforcement officers and others who seek a middle road between incarceration and legalization. Our commonsense, third-way approach to marijuana policy is based on reputable science and sound principles of public health and safety.

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