Marijuana
General poisoning notes:
Accidental ingestion of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) by pets is an occasional problem. Family pets or young children may accidentally ingest the plant, which may be stored in plastic bags. A dog ingested hashish brownies and then exhibited various symptoms such as hyperactivity, vomiting, somnolence, staggering, and glazed eyes. In another case, in Edmonton, a pet ferret ingested the plant and became comatose after experiencing sneezing bouts and ataxia. Although no fatalities of humans have been reported, the effects on a young child accidentally ingesting marijuana are bound to be very disturbing to the parents (Jones 1978, Smith 1988).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Cannabis sativa L.
Vernacular name(s): marijuana
Scientific family name: Cannabinaceae
Vernacular family name: hemp
Cannabis sativa L.
Geographic Information
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec.
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
The resins in the leaves are psychoactive in mammals, including humans. These plants are cultivated indoors and outdoors for human use. The plants can overwinter as seed in warmer parts of the country. The most common form that may be accidentally ingested by humans and pets is marijuana that has been left in houses for illegal human use.
Toxic parts:
Flowers, leaves.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical most often cited as causing the psychoactive compound in marijuana. This chemical affects humans and many other mammals. Any children or pets that accidentally ingest quantities of marijuana may show various symptoms, including coma.
Toxic plant chemicals:
Tetrahydrocannabinol.
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Dogs
General symptoms of poisoning:
Agitation, drowsiness, gait, staggering, unconsciousness, vomiting.
Ferrets
General symptoms of poisoning:
Ataxia, coma, temperature, depressed.
