Marijuana toxicity

Background

  • Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in the world[1]
  • THC concentrations have been steadily increasing in multiple formulations due to strain engineering
  • Pediatric overdoses increasing, though unintentional, due to increased legalization and access

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Drugs of abuse

Evaluation

Peak Plasma Concentration Time[2]

  • Inhalation: 3-10 minutes
  • Ingestion/oral: 1-6 hours
  • Intravenous: 10 minutes
  • Rectal: 2-8 hours

Management

  • Supportive care, if concerned for mixed ingestion, try other reversal agents

Disposition

  • Discharge when clinically sober

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Leggett T, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. A review of the world cannabis situation. Bull Narc 2006; 58:1.
  2. Kim HS, Monte AA. Colorado cannabis legalization and its effect on emergency care. Ann Emerg Med. 2016;68(1):71-75