Acute Adverse Effects of Cannabis: A Perspective from Arizona’s Poison Control Centers

Abstract

Specific Aims: The overall purpose of this study was to examine and describe some of the acute adverse effects of cannabis that have been reported in the state of Arizona in order to provide insights into potentially pertinent toxicities. Another aim was to examine the data for any correlation between age and side effects experienced.

Methods: De-identifed data tables detailing case information for cannabis-related calls made to either of the two poison control centers in the state of Arizona in the year 2017 were prepared and analyzed. Data examined included age, gender, number of substances involved, and general descriptors of the side effects reported for each patient case. A chi-square with Yates’s correction was utilized to look for any association between age group and the different types of adverse effects reported.

Main Results: A total of 82 poison control center cases were examined. Side effects involving the central nervous system, cardiac systems, and mental health were among the most commonly reported. No association was found between age and the occurrence of any particular type of adverse effect (p = 0.866).

Conclusions: Though seemingly not dependent on the age of the user, our data may suggest that the use of cannabis can potentially contribute to a wide variety of acute adverse effects – most notably involving the central nervous system, cardiac systems, and mental health. However, as this study is lacking in generalizability, further research will need to be done in order to elucidate a more accurate side effect profile.