Three children were treated on Thursday in the pediatric emergency department at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital after eating cookies containing cannabis and falling ill last week.
The children, consisting of two brothers and their cousin, were brought in extremely drowsy, according to hospital staff.
“The children, aged 3, 5, and 9, suffered from nausea and vomiting, and by the time they arrived at the ER in Magen David Adom ambulances, they were very, very drowsy,” Orel Gal from the hospital explained.
“According to their parents, the family had traveled to visit Ramallah, where at a candy stall the children asked to buy cookies that looked like Oreos.”
The parents realized something was wrong when all three children began to feel unwell. In the emergency department, the children were kept under close observation, connected to IV fluids, and given time to recover.
Various tests were performed, including an ECG to rule out heart rhythm abnormalities. Lab results confirmed the presence of a very high level of cannabis in their blood. The medical staff monitored them for many hours as they remained under the influence of the drug.
The dangers of children ingesting cannabis
Doctors warn that cannabis consumption is particularly dangerous for children: it can depress the central nervous system, reduce consciousness, cause heart rhythm disturbances, changes in blood pressure, and breathing problems.
Because a child’s brain is still developing, cannabis exposure can lead to lasting neurological damage. Even small amounts can cause severe poisoning in children, with symptoms such as confusion, anxiety, dehydration, and repeated vomiting.
Pediatricians emphasize that cannabis has a much stronger effect on children than on adults, with a much higher risk of rapid deterioration requiring intensive care.
“The children showed typical symptoms of cannabis exposure, were largely unresponsive and uncooperative, and only began recovering toward the morning.” Dr. Barak Feldman, a physician in Hadassah’s pediatric ER, said.
“We are always concerned about significant complications. We’ve treated children in intensive care after cannabis exposure, including cases with heart rhythm problems. Of course, we also can’t know for sure what other substances might be mixed into such products, which is a major risk. The very frightened parents showed us a photo of the cookies, which were sold under the name of a famous brand, with packaging that showed a drawing of a green plant. People must be cautious about products not purchased from known stores, and seek immediate medical care if a child shows signs of poisoning or illness after eating an unfamiliar item.”
All three children were released home and made a full recovery.