North Carolina health officials warn of a sharp rise in child cannabis exposure. In 2024, Poison Control received over 1,100 cannabis-related calls—42% involving kids under 13, up from 518 cases in 2020. Edibles pose a major risk, as children mistake them for candy.
When Sarah found her five-year-old, Liam, curled up on the couch, unusually quiet and unresponsive, she panicked. Just an hour ago, he had been playing with his toys, his laughter echoing through the house. Now, his eyelids drooped, his breathing was slow, and he wouldn’t answer her calls.
She retraced her steps, searching for clues—until she spotted the empty candy wrapper on the floor. Her stomach dropped. It wasn’t candy. It was her husband’s cannabis-infused chocolates, left out on the counter.
Rushing to the ER, she held Liam’s hand tightly, guilt washing over her. The doctors assured her he would recover, but the experience had shaken her to her core.
The numbers were rising. In North Carolina alone, over 1,100 cases of cannabis exposure were reported last year—nearly half involving children under 13. Experts warned that today’s cannabis was far more potent than before, making accidental ingestion even more dangerous.
For Sarah, the lesson was painful but clear. Cannabis products weren’t just another snack—they needed to be locked away, treated with the same caution as prescription medication. One small mistake could lead to a terrifying night no parent should have to face.
Now, whenever she sees those bright, candy-like packages, she thinks of Liam and the chilling what-ifs. And she urges every parent she knows: Be careful. It only takes one moment.
