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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pot poisoning reports increase among young children

In this June 21, 2018, photo, laboratory manager Emily Savage demonstrates how she uses an instrument to photograph cannabis samples at CW Analytical Laboratories, in Oakland, Calif. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
Associated Press

SEATTLE – Washington officials say reports of pot poisoning among young children is on the rise across the state.

KOMO-TV reports data from the Washington Poison Center shows that while cannabis exposures are up for all age groups since legalization, the biggest jump is among children aged 5 and younger.

From 2016 to 2017, the poison center recorded a 57.7 percent increase in the number of people reporting their young child had ingested pot. Symptoms can include vomiting, sleepiness, seizures and even coma.

What’s unclear is whether more kids are actually getting sick since weed became legal for adults, or that parents feel more comfortable asking for help.

Whatever is to blame for the increased poisonings, youth advocates say legalization likely changed perceptions.