Rise in Cannabis Poisoning Among Older Adults in Ontario After Legalization: A Growing Concern

Toronto, ON, Ontario Canada
Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018
Number of ED visits for cannabis poisoning among older adults in Ontario increased sharply over an eight-year period
Older adults are at higher risk for adverse effects from cannabis due to age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, drug interactions, and multimorbidity
Studies may underestimate true number of cannabis poisonings in older adults as they only track ED visits
Symptoms of cannabis poisoning include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations
Rise in Cannabis Poisoning Among Older Adults in Ontario After Legalization: A Growing Concern

May 20, 2024

Canada's legalization of cannabis in October 2018 marked the beginning of a significant increase in emergency department (ED) visits for cannabis poisoning among older adults residing in Ontario, according to recent studies.

The availability of edible cannabis, which became legal for retail sale in January 2020, further exacerbated this trend. Researchers from JAMA Internal Medicine and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto found that the number of ED visits related to cannabis poisoning among older adults increased sharply over an eight-year period.

Older adults are at a higher risk for adverse effects from cannabis due to age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, drug interactions, and multimorbidity. The symptoms of cannabis poisoning include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations.

The studies suggest that seniors may use edibles intentionally or accidentally. In some cases, older adults mistake edibles for regular food or snacks. The symptoms of cannabis poisoning can be severe and even life-threatening in extreme cases.

It is important to note that these studies may underestimate the true number of cannabis poisonings in older adults as they only track ED visits and not hospitalizations or cases where people sought care elsewhere or not at all.

The legalization of cannabis has been a topic of debate for years, with concerns about its health risks, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults. The findings from these studies underscore the importance of raising awareness about the potential risks associated with cannabis use in older adults and ensuring that appropriate resources are available to help prevent and manage cannabis poisonings.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are the findings from these studies representative of the entire population of older adults in Ontario?
  • Could other factors, such as increased awareness or changes in reporting practices, have contributed to the increase in ED visits for cannabis poisoning?

Sources

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Legalized Weed is Landing More Seniors in the E.R.

The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Matt Richtel Monday, 20 May 2024 15:00
  • Unique Points
    • After Canada legalized marijuana, the number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older doubled.
    • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older tripled just 15 months later when Canada legalized the sale of edibles.
    • Symptoms of cannabis poisoning include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations.
    • Researchers found that seniors used edibles intentionally but also sometimes by accident.
  • Accuracy
    • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older doubled after Canada legalized marijuana.
    • In 2015, there were 55 emergency room visits caused by cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older in Ontario. This figure rose steadily to 462 by 2021 and then fell off slightly to 404 in 2022.
    • The largest increases occurred after edible cannabis became legally available for retail sale.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that are selectively reported and sensationalized. The author quotes Dr. Stall stating 'It's often a baked good, a chocolate or a gummy.' This statement is used to create an image of seniors accidentally consuming edibles due to their resemblance to regular food, but the article does not mention that this was only one of the reasons for the increase in poisonings. The author also states 'Symptoms of cannabis poisoning can include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations.' This statement is sensationalized as it implies that these symptoms are unique to cannabis poisoning when they could be caused by various other factors. The article also states 'The findings were consistent with other research published in the United States,' but no sources for this research are provided.
    • Symptoms of cannabis poisoning can include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations.
    • It's often a baked good, a chocolate or a gummy.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (90%)
    The author, Matt Richtel, presents the findings of a study that suggests an increase in cannabis poisonings among seniors after legalization. While not explicitly stating a bias towards marijuana legalization or against seniors, the tone of the article implies concern and potential danger associated with cannabis use by older adults. The author also quotes Dr. Stall expressing concern about drug use by seniors being overlooked due to ageism and bias.
    • But a new study suggests that an additional demographic is at risk: seniors.
      • “It’s somewhat in the shadows, and there is some ageism and bias in thinking that older adults aren’t using drugs.”
        • Poisonings doubled after Canada legalized sale of the cannabis flower, and then tripled just 15 months later, when Canada legalized the sale of edibles.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Edible Cannabis Legalization and Cannabis Poisonings in Older Adults

        JAMA Network Monday, 20 May 2024 21:38
        • Unique Points
          • Canada legalized the sale of dried cannabis flowers for nonmedical use in October 2018.
          • Edible cannabis became legally available for retail in Canada in January 2020.
          • Older adults are at particularly high risk of adverse effects from cannabis due to age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, drug interactions, and multimorbidity.
        • Accuracy
          • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older doubled after Canada legalized marijuana.
          • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older tripled just 15 months later when Canada legalized the sale of edibles.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains several informal fallacies and appeals to authority. The author makes an appeal to authority by citing previous studies on the association between cannabis legalization and increased cannabis-related emergencies in older adults, as well as national US data showing that edible cannabis accounts for an increasing proportion of cannabis poisoning in older adults. However, these studies are not directly quoted or referenced within the article itself. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of the consequences of cannabis legalization for older adults, with no mention of potential benefits or nuanced perspectives. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that 'jurisdictions with legalized cannabis should consider measures to mitigate unintentional exposure in older adults and age-specific dosing guidance.' This statement implies that the risks of cannabis use for older adults outweigh any potential benefits, but the article does not provide sufficient evidence to support this claim.
          • ]The largest increases occurred after edible cannabis became legally available for retail sale, a phenomenon similarly observed in Canadian children.[/
          • Jurisdictions with legalized cannabis should consider measures to mitigate unintentional exposure in older adults and age-specific dosing guidance.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        94%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Cannabis legalization coincided with uptick in ER visits from seniors: study

        Lethbridge Herald Lethbridge Herald Monday, 20 May 2024 18:32
        • Unique Points
          • The number of ER visits by older adults for cannabis poisoning grew sharply over an eight-year period, particularly after cannabis was legalized.
          • Researchers suggest the data may underestimate the magnitude of cannabis poisonings in older adults as it only tracks ER visits and not hospitalizations or cases where people sought care elsewhere or not at all.
        • Accuracy
          • The rate of ER visits rose from 5.8 per 100,000 before legalization to 21.1 per 100,000 after edibles were introduced.
          • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older doubled after Canada legalized marijuana.
          • The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older tripled just 15 months later when Canada legalized the sale of edibles.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Dr. Nathan Stall, a geriatric specialist at Sinai Health in Toronto and lead author of the study. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric with phrases like 'cannabis poisoning' and 'very sick'.
          • “These are people very sick to the point where health-care practitioners, without knowing that they’ve consumed cannabis, consider other serious health conditions, like stroke, serious infection (and) serious metababolic abnormalities.”
          • “These are not people getting too high, being giddy and laughing,”
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication