THC Ingestions and Child Protective Services: Guidelines for Practitioners

The decriminalization of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products has resulted in an increased presence of these products in households. This increased presence, along with frequent use of product packaging that mimics recognizable and appealing treats, has led to a rise in accidental ingestions of THC-containing substances by children. Some clinicians and child protective services (CPS) professionals have recommended that every accidental THC ingestion by a child, irrespective of the circumstances, should be reported for investigation by CPS. We argue that this recommendation has the potential to waste scarce resources, harm families, and worsen current inequities in CPS reporting. We offer an alternative framework to this blanket recommendation that clinicians can employ when providing care to a child who has ingested THC.