South Africa decriminalised the use of cannabis for private use in a Constitutional court ruling during September 2018.
An observational study, of cannabis exposures reported to the Poison Information Helpline in the Western Cape. the University of Witwatersrand found that coinciding with the court ruling there was a threefold increase in cases reported to the Poison Information Helpline.
Accidental ingestion of edible cannabis products was a common occurrence in patients aged 12 years and younger, leading to neurological symptoms.
In general, there has been an increase in reports made to health care facilities of cannabis intoxication and other adverse effects in countries where cannabis has been legalised.
Cannabis use is not without consequences, health care practitioners should take note of the various adverse effects associated with its use.