SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Unintentional Ingestion of Psychoactive Cannabis Products Among Adults: Scoping Review

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This scoping review examined unintentional ingestion of cannabis products in adults, an area with little prior summary compared with pediatric cases. The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science in October 2023, June 2024, and April 2025, using Covidence for screening and extraction. They included adult cases involving unintentional ingestion of psychoactive cannabis, as well as intentional ingestion of CBD or synthetic cannabinoids for nonrecreational/nonpsychoactive purposes.<br /><br />Twenty studies met inclusion criteria. Most cases occurred in the United States, and reported patients ranged widely in age, though adults aged 18–30 were most common. The most frequent exposure sources were baked goods such as cakes and brownies, followed by gummies/candy, other prepared food products, and CBD supplements. Across reports, symptoms commonly included dizziness, vomiting, tachycardia, drowsiness, nausea, anxiety, confusion, ataxia, blurred vision, gait instability, dry mouth, hallucinations, and altered consciousness. Many presentations resembled stroke, and stroke was often the leading differential diagnosis.<br /><br />Clinical management was generally supportive, including intravenous fluids and antiemetics. In 13 reports, patients were admitted, with stays ranging from 4 hours to 2 weeks. Most patients returned to baseline within 24 hours. Notably, all patients who presented after consuming purportedly CBD-only products and were tested had positive urine drug screens for THC.<br /><br />The review suggests that older adults may experience more severe symptoms, possibly due to comorbidities or accidental consumption of larger amounts of THC-containing foods. The authors conclude that clinicians should consider inadvertent cannabis ingestion in adults—especially older patients with stroke-like symptoms—and ask about shared food, food of unknown origin, or CBD supplement use.

Asset Subtitle

TaRessa Wills

Meta Tag

Author List Annie Massart, Dhyana Sankar, Joyce Akwe, Malavika Kapuria, Manpreet Malik, Mary Ann K. Hall, Mohamad Moussa, TaRessa Wills

Category Research

Concept Unintentional Cannabis Ingestion

Concept Neurologic Symptoms

Concept Stroke-like Symptom

Concept Adult

Concept Supportive Therapy

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Emory Division of Hospital Medicine

Presenting Author TaRessa Wills

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

unintentional cannabis ingestion

adult cases

scoping review

psychoactive cannabis

CBD supplements

synthetic cannabinoids

stroke-like symptoms

edibles

THC positive urine drug screen

supportive management

Unintentional Cannabis Ingestion

Neurologic Symptoms

Stroke-like Symptom

Adult

Supportive Therapy