Cannabis-related Non-Fatal Emergency Department (ED) Visits among California Residents, 2016–2023

1. Cannabis Burden: Provides the most inclusive definition that incorporates nearly all cannabis-related codes. It includes all ICD-10-CM codes associated with the cannabis “poisonings,” “abuse, dependence, and use” and “newborn affected by maternal use of cannabis” indicators.
2. Poisonings: It includes only ICD-10-CM codes associated with the cannabis “poisonings” indicator.
   
3. Abuse, Dependence, and Use: It includes only ICD-10-CM codes associated with the cannabis “abuse,” “dependence” and “use” indicators
   

The three cannabis-related diagnoses reflect that cannabis use consumed healthcare resources by either causing a visit to the emergency department directly or contributing to need for care. ​

How to Use

First Tab (Number of Visits)

• Diagnosis: Select “Cannabis Burden,” “Poisonings,” or “Abuse, Dependence, and Use” from this menu.
• Demographic: The data can be viewed by different age groups (0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–20, 21–25, 26–30, 31–35, 36–40, 41–50, 51–60, 61–70, 71 years and older), race/ethnicities (Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Black, White, Multiracial, and Other/Unknown), sex (female and male), and the overall population. All the race/ethnicities other than Hispanic are non-Hispanic.
• Total Number of ED Visits: The data can be viewed by year of cannabis-related ED visits by selecting a specific year (2016 to 2023).​

Second Tab (Rate of Visits)

• Age-adjusted Rate
• ​Diagnosis
  
• Year: The data can be viewed by year of cannabis-related ED visits by selecting a specific year (2016 to 2023). 
  
• Crude Rate 
• Diagnosis 
• Demographic

​Third Tab (California County Maps)

• Year
  
• Diagnosis
  
• Which Rate? (for rate map only): The California county map can be viewed by either crude rate or age-adjusted rate.
  

Data Highlights

Cannabis Burden

The age-adjusted rate of cannabis burden-related non-fatal ED visits increased from 298.3 per 100K California residents in 2016 to a peak of 363.6 per 100K California residents in 2019 (21.9% increase) followed by a decrease to 342.2 per 100K California residents in 2023 (5.9% decrease). The total number of cannabis burden-related ED visits in 2023 was 131,345.

• More than 50% of the cannabis burden-related ED visits in 2023 were among 15- to 35-year-old California residents. Among youth and young adults, 15- to 20-year-olds had the highest rate of cannabis burden-related ED visits from 2016 to 2023.
• The rate of cannabis burden-related ED visits was the highest for Black individuals compared to individuals from other racial/ethnic groups for both youth and young adults, and adults from 2016 to 2023.
• Overall, adult males had higher rates of cannabis burden-related ED visits compared to adult females from 2016 to 2023. However, the rate of ED visits among female youth and young adults surpassed the rate for males of the same age group in 2022. ​​

​Cannabis Poisonings

The age-adjusted rate of cannabis poisoning-related non-fatal ED visits increased from 10.1 per 100K California residents in 2016 to a peak of 14.7 per 100K California residents in 2018 (45.5% increase) followed by a decrease to 12.1 per 100K California residents in 2023 (17.7% decrease). The total number of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits in 2023 was 4,500.

• The rate of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits was the highest among 15- to 20-year-olds and 21- to 25-year-olds from 2016 to 2023. Among adults, the overall trend in the rate of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits included an increase from 2016 to 2018 followed by a decrease to 2023. This trend was primarily driven by poisoning-related ED visits among 21- to 30-year-olds and was also observed among 15- to 20-year-olds. Notably, the rates of ED visits among 0-to 14-year-olds had fluctuations but exhibited overall increases from 2016 to 2023.
• The rate of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits was the highest for Black individuals compared to individuals from other racial/ethnic groups for both youth and young adults, and adults from 2016 to 2023. There has, however, been a large decrease in the rate of poisoning-related ED visits among Black adults from 2020 to 2023.
• Among adults, males consistently had slightly higher rates of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits compared to adult females from 2016 to 2023. Since 2021, the rates of cannabis poisoning-related ED visits among female youth and young adults have been higher than the rates among males of the same age group.

Cannabis Abuse, Dependence, and Use

The age-adjusted rate of cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related non-fatal ED visits increased from 289.7 per 100K California residents in 2016 to a peak of 351.6 per 100K California residents in 2019 (21.4% increase) followed by a decrease to 331.5 per 100K California residents in 2023 (5.7% decrease). The total number of cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related ED visits in 2023 was 127,364.

• More than 50% of the cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related ED visits in 2023 were among 15- to 35-year-old California residents. Among youth and young adults, 15- to 20-year-olds had the highest rate of cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related ED visits from 2016 to 2023.
• The rate of cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related ED visits was the highest for Black individuals compared to individuals from other racial/ethnic groups for both youth and young adults, and adults from 2016 to 2023.
• Overall, adult males had higher rates of cannabis abuse, dependence, and use-related ED visits compared to adult females from 2016 to 2023. However, the rate of ED visits among female youth and young adults surpassed the rate for males of the same age group in 2022. ​

Prevention Implications

The number and rates of cannabis-related ED visits differ by age, race/ethnicity, and sex. These disparities may stem from a variety of factors related to cannabis use, cannabis screening, and ED visits. Recognizing these differences is important when designing and tailoring prevention efforts for groups with higher rates of ED visits. Additionally, developing institutional and provider-level practices and policies can help address racial inequities in cannabis use screening.

It is essential to develop and promote safeguards that protect children and youth from cannabis exposure. Cannabis exposure awareness, education, and prevention efforts among parents and guardians can help reduce cannabis-related harms among children and youth.

Educating youth, young adults, parents, and guardians about the risks and consequences of cannabis is crucial in reducing its negative impacts. In 2023, more than 50% of the cannabis burden-related ED visits in California were among those aged 15 to 35. Raising awareness and education can help prevent these harmful outcomes.

Implementing evidence-based programs that promote physical and mental wellness, along with positive health behaviors like coping and problem-solving skills, can help reduce cannabis use among youth and young adults. Screening for cannabis or other substance use can help identify youth and young adults who may benefit from interventions and support services.

For more information, please visit the following resources:

• Cannabis Safety Measures
  
• Cannabis Health Effects: Youth and Young Adults
• Cannabis Health Effects: Short-Term and Long-Term
• Cannabis Poisoning
• Lets Talk Cannabis​
  

Data Sources 

• The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) provides Emergency Department (ED) visit data on patient demographics and discharge diagnoses.

• For the rate (crude and age-adjusted) calculations, the following data sources were used:
• Denominator: Denominators are population projections from the California Department of Finance.
• Age Adjustment: 2000 U.S. Standard Population (Census P25-1130) data.

Suggested Citation for the Dashboard: California Department of Public Health, Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch. California Cannabis-related Emergency Department Visits Dashboard [online]. 2025. [accessed date]. URL: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/cannabis/Pages/California-Cannabis-related-Emergency-Department-Visits-Dashboard.aspx. ​​​