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

Abstract

Specific Aims This is an addendum to Acute Adverse Effects of Cannabis: A Perspective from Arizona's Poison Control Centers. * The original purpose 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. The addendum to this study will provide more data to examine while using the same methods. Also, a secondary set of information will be analyzed. It will include if the type/route of cannabis used correlates with the number of side effects.

Methods De-identified 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 years 2017-2019 were prepared and analyzed. Data examined included age, gender, and general descriptors of the side effects reported for each patient case. A chi-square was utilized to look for any association between age group and the different types of adverse effects reported. For the secondary set of data, a chi-square was utilized to look for any association between types of cannabis use and the different types of adverse effects reported.

Main Results A total of 555 poison control center cases were examined. Side effects involving the central nervous system, cardiac systems, and mental health were among the most commonly reported. There was a correlation found between age and the occurrence of any particular type of adverse effect (p < 0.005). Also, there was a correlation found between type of cannabis used and the occurrence of any of the same categorical type of adverse effect (p <0.005).

Conclusions This addendum concluded differently from conclusion of AAEC, which concluded that there was no correlation between age groups and side effects. With the additional data included, this project found a correlation. Lack of data was a limitation in AAEC. This addendum was able to show that there was a correlation between age and side effects. The secondary analysis also showed that there was a correlation between type/route of cannabis used and the number of side effects.