Acute cannabis intoxication in the emergency department: the effect of legalization
Dublin Core
Title
Acute cannabis intoxication in the emergency department: the effect of legalization
Subject
Cannabis, Emergency, Toxicology, Health policy
Description
Background: On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis in Canada.
This study seeks to determine how legalization of cannabis has impacted emergency department (ED) visits for
acute cannabis intoxication.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at an academic ED in Hamilton, Ontario. We assessed all visits
with a cannabis-related ICD-10 discharge code 6 months before and after legalization (October 17, 2018) to
determine cases of acute cannabis intoxication. The primary outcome was the rate of ED visits. Secondary
outcomes included number of visits distributed by age, length of stay, co-ingestions, and clinical course in the
emergency department (investigations and treatment).
Results: There was no difference in the overall rate of ED visits following legalization (2.44 vs. 2.94 visits/1000, p =
0.27). However, we noted a 56% increase in visits among adults aged 18–29 (p = 0.03). Following legalization, a
larger portion of patients required observation without interventions (25% vs 48%, p < 0.05). Bloodwork and
imaging studies decreased (53% vs. 12%, p < 0.05; 29% vs. 2%, p < 0.05); however, treatment with benzodiazepines
increased (24% vs. 51%, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Legalization was not associated with a change in the rate of cannabis-related ED visits in our study.
More research is needed regarding changing methods of cannabis ingestion and trends among specific age groups.
This study seeks to determine how legalization of cannabis has impacted emergency department (ED) visits for
acute cannabis intoxication.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at an academic ED in Hamilton, Ontario. We assessed all visits
with a cannabis-related ICD-10 discharge code 6 months before and after legalization (October 17, 2018) to
determine cases of acute cannabis intoxication. The primary outcome was the rate of ED visits. Secondary
outcomes included number of visits distributed by age, length of stay, co-ingestions, and clinical course in the
emergency department (investigations and treatment).
Results: There was no difference in the overall rate of ED visits following legalization (2.44 vs. 2.94 visits/1000, p =
0.27). However, we noted a 56% increase in visits among adults aged 18–29 (p = 0.03). Following legalization, a
larger portion of patients required observation without interventions (25% vs 48%, p < 0.05). Bloodwork and
imaging studies decreased (53% vs. 12%, p < 0.05; 29% vs. 2%, p < 0.05); however, treatment with benzodiazepines
increased (24% vs. 51%, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Legalization was not associated with a change in the rate of cannabis-related ED visits in our study.
More research is needed regarding changing methods of cannabis ingestion and trends among specific age groups.
Creator
Robert Baraniecki , Puru Panchal, Danya Deepsee Malhotra, Alexandra Aliferis and Zaka Zia
Publisher
. BMC Emergency Medicine
Date
(2021) 21:32
Contributor
Fajar bagus W
Format
PDF
Language
Indonesia
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Robert Baraniecki , Puru Panchal, Danya Deepsee Malhotra, Alexandra Aliferis and Zaka Zia, “Acute cannabis intoxication in the emergency department: the effect of legalization,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/3763.