Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness
With the legalization of recreational cannabis in New York in 2021, adults 21 and older can now legally purchase and possess cannabis products from licensed dispensaries. While cannabis, when used responsibly and as directed by adults, is safe for consumption, its legalization has unfortunately coincided with a notable increase in accidental poisonings among children and teenagers reported to the New York Poison Center.
The New York Poison Center reports that calls related to unintentional cannabis ingestion jumped from seven in 2019 to more than 60 in 2022. Bright, snack-like packaging and the growing popularity of cannabis edibles make it easy for kids—and even pets—to mistake THC-laced gummies or chocolates for regular treats.
In children, accidental consumption can lead to serious symptoms like confusion, anxiety, slurred speech, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. Because their brains are still developing, kids are especially vulnerable to long-term impacts on memory, judgment, and cognition. Household pets are also at high risk—dogs and cats have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, making them highly sensitive to THC, which can trigger anything from incoordination to seizures or comas.
That’s why the Safe Storage Initiative, launched by the TYSA Behavioral Health Coalition and Partnerships for Community Wellness, is working to educate parents and caregivers about the risks and how to prevent them. The initiative promotes simple but effective harm reduction strategies, like using lockboxes to store cannabis products securely and creating a home environment where open, age-appropriate conversations can take place.
Cannabis may be legal for adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Safe storage and education are key to protecting kids, pets, and loved ones from accidental harm. To learn more download the Safe Storage Guide or visit SIPCW.org.
