Answer first
Call 911 first if a person with cannabis overdose has trouble breathing, chest pain, a seizure, fainting, severe agitation, psychosis, or repeated vomiting with dehydration. For mild symptoms, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. There is no specific antidote for cannabis overdose. Emergency care is supportive and focuses on breathing, safety, and symptom control.
When this is an emergency
- Trouble breathing or slow, shallow breathing
- Chest pain
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe agitation, paranoia, or psychosis
- Repeated vomiting with signs of dehydration
- Any child who ate cannabis, even if the child looks well
What to have ready
- The person's age and weight
- The cannabis product package, if you can get it without delay
- The amount used and the time of use
- A phone with speaker enabled
- A list of medicines and health conditions
Emergency steps
- Call 911 if any severe sign is present.
- Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for mild symptoms, for any child ingestion, or when you are unsure.
- Stay with the person.
- Move the person away from traffic, stairs, and sharp objects.
- Keep the person seated or lying on their side.
- Check the person's breathing every few minutes.
- Give small sips of water only if the person is awake, alert, and not vomiting.
- Turn the person on their side if they vomit.
- Start CPR if you are trained and the person does not respond and is not breathing normally.
- Hand emergency responders the product package and tell them the age, amount, and time.
What not to do
- Do not make the person vomit.
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Do not give food, drink, or stimulants to a drowsy person.
- Do not use a cold shower to sober the person up.
- Do not give more cannabis, CBD, or alcohol.
- Do not wait for edible effects to peak before calling for help.
Repeated vomiting and dehydration
Repeated vomiting, belly pain, and dehydration can occur with heavy cannabis use. This needs medical care. Call Poison Control or your doctor for advice. Go to the emergency department if the person cannot keep fluids down, has dark urine, dizziness on standing, or severe belly pain.
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After the emergency
Follow the discharge plan. Ask about follow-up for persistent vomiting, anxiety, or psychosis. Call Poison Control again if symptoms return or worsen.