As of January 2024, we’ve tracked 312 child abuse deaths related to cannabis in the United States over the past 11 years. Our data comes mainly from news stories found online.  Where are the academic researchers who should be studying this problem?

In three states that track substance use in reports of child abuse  — Arizona, Florida and Texas — marijuana is most frequently listed.  

Yes, Virginia Governor Youngkin was correct to veto a bill that prevented marijuana use from consideration in child safety decisions.

Our count begins in November 2012, when the first two states, Colorado and Washington, voted to legalize pot .Legalizing marijuana sends an underlying message, ‘If it’s legal, it must be safe’; we suspect the number is much higher.  

When recreational pot shops opened in January 2014, the Colorado news media reported on three pot-related child deaths. Pro-pot activists wondered if it could dampen public opinion of legalizing pot, but national media chose not to report it.

Using Texas to typify what happens

Although a new report should be released any day, we share the chart from the report from Texas in 2022.  Of 182 child abuse or neglect deaths in 2022, 73 of the perpetrators were active marijuana users at the time, 40 percent. Fifty-nine percent were former marijuana users.  Texas includes unsafe sleeping as a factor in death, as it contributes to about 30 -50 deaths per year.  Education on child safety and not using drugs would reduce that number.  Texas has made admirable attempts to bring down the number of child deaths, but 60 to 75 percent of reported deaths over several years involve substance use. Continue reading Data to track Child Abuse and Neglect for 11 + years →