Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Source: New Haven Register (CT)
Copyright: 2015 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.nhregister.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/292

POT POISON CONTROL CALLS UP IN WASHINGTON, COLORADO

SEATTLE (AP) - Marijuana-related calls to poison control centers in 
Washington and Colorado have spiked since the states began allowing 
legal sales last year, with an increase in calls concerning young children.

But it's not clear how much of the increase might be related to more 
people using marijuana, as opposed to people feeling more comfortable 
to report their problems now that the drug is legal for adults over 21.

New year-end data being presented to Colorado's Legislature next week 
show that the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center received 151 
calls for marijuana exposure last year, the first year of retail 
recreational pot sales. That was up from88 calls in 2013 and 61 in 
2012, the year voters legalized pot.

Calls to the Washington Poison Center for marijuana exposures jumped 
by more than half, from 158 in 2013 to 246 last year.

Public health experts say they are especially concerned about 
children accidentally eating marijuana edibles.
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