Notes on poisoning: Cannabis sativa

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).

References:

Jones, D. L. 1978. A case of canine cannabis ingestion. N. Z. Vet. J., 26: 135-136.

Smith, R. A. 1988. Coma in a ferret after ingestion of cannabis. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 30: 486.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Cannabis sativa L.

Vernacular name(s): marijuana

Scientific family name: Cannabinaceae

Vernacular family name: hemp

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Cannabis sativa

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

Images: images.google.com

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

References:

Small, E., Cronquist, A. 1976. A practical and natural taxonomy for Cannabis. Taxon, 25: 405-435.

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

References:

Small, E., Cronquist, A. 1976. A practical and natural taxonomy for Cannabis. Taxon, 25: 405-435.

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:

References:

Jones, D. L. 1978. A case of canine cannabis ingestion. N. Z. Vet. J., 26: 135-136.

Ferrets

General symptoms of poisoning:

References:

Smith, R. A. 1988. Coma in a ferret after ingestion of cannabis. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 30: 486.