Pot-related poison-control calls rise in Colo., Wash.

Associated Press

SEATTLE

Marijuana-related calls to poison-control centers in Washington and Colorado have spiked since the states began allowing legal sales last year, with an especially troubling 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 from 88 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 young children accidentally eating marijuana edibles.