The young shoots are a traditional early spring green. They should be boiled in several changes of water. There are old farmers around here that still gather it and bring it to market, and I've prepared and eaten it several times. It was tasty, along the lines of asparagus.
HOWEVER, lately I've read that, along with sassafras and comfrey, new research puts poke in the category of potentially toxic. And the mature plant, and berries, are definitely not recommended.
I still think it's a very attractive plant, especially when the berries are ripe, and when it's growing along the wayside. I weed it out of the garden, but the habits of birds being what they are, there's always some around.
Cheers, Sue